Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha lauded debutant batter Sarfaraz Khan’s body language in Rajkot, saying he took the pressure off Ravindra Jadeja on Day 1. Sarfaraz scored a half-century on his Test debut against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Sarfaraz had a Test debut to remember in Rajkot. After receiving his Test cap from former India captain Anil Kumble, the Mumbai-based batter smashed 62 runs off 66 deliveries in India’s first innings. He formed a crucial 77-run partnership with Jadeja to take India past 300 runs on Day 1.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Ojha said Sarfaraz’s body language showed that he belongs to the highest level of the game. Sarfaraz registered the second-fastest Test half-century for India, getting to the milestone off just 48 deliveries.
“This is what happens when you grind through the domestic circuit and make so many runs that you are not scared when you get to the international stage, and Sarfaraz showed that,” said Ojha.
“Sarfaraz showed his solidity, his body language showed that he belongs at the highest level. This is very important. The biggest win for Sarfaraz was his body language, which was good to watch. And that only comes when you’ve scored a lot of runs,” Ojha added.
He went on to say that Sarfaraz took the pressure off Jadeja when he was closing in on his fourth Test century. A mix-up between Jadeja and Sarfaraz caused the Mumbai-based batter to be run-out on 62 runs, bringing an end to their brilliant partnership.
“Had Sarfaraz survived Day 1, the advantage would’ve been huge for India. If you look at the partnership between Jadeja and Sarfaraz, it was the debutant who scored the majority of the runs. He took pressure off Jadeja when he was closing in on his century,” Ojha added.
Following the day’s play, Sarfaraz said Jadeja kept guiding him during their stay in the middle, while insisting that a bit of miscommunication resulted in his dismissal on Day 1.
“Jadeja was guiding me through the innings. He told me to spend some time in the crease and said that the runs would follow. He came to me and said that a little bit of miscommunication happened’. I was okay with it,” said Sarfaraz.
Sarfaraz impressed many with his debut knock against England and could become a regular feature in the Indian Test side for years to come.
