After a long wait, Sarfaraz Khan finally made his India debut on Thursday. The right-handed batter was named in the playing XI of the Rohit Sharma-led side for the third Test match against England in Rajkot. Sarfaraz made the most of the opportunity with a 62-run knock off 66 balls. He batted with positive intent and took the England bowlers to the cleaners with some really good shots. Sarfaraz raced to his fifty in 48 balls before his knock came to a misfortunate end. The batter was run out after a horrible mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja in the middle.
After the day’s play, Sarfaraz got a surprise call from his brother Musheer Khan, who was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup team that finished as runner-up at the 2024 edition in South Africa.
Sarfaraz: Musheer! Greetings Brother… How are you?
Musheer: I am fine, brother. Well played.
Sarfaraz: Thank you. Was I playing well?
Musheer: Number 1 brother. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Sarfaraz: You will also represent India one day. Look at this (shows his India cap).
Musheer: I got a little worried…
Sarfaraz: When I played the sweep shot? The field was up.
Musheer: When you top-edged the ball playing a shot to Joe Root. I was watching and the moment I saw the ball had passed the fielder, I knew it was safe.
Sarfaraz: Alright brother! I will call you once I get to my hotel room.
Watch the conversation here:
A special phone call after a memorable Test Debut!#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/QcAFa5If9o
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2024
India were all out for 445 in their first innings on the second day of the third Test against England in Rajkot on Friday.
Rohit Sharma (131) and Ravindra Jadeja (112) struck fine hundreds while debutant Sarfaraz Khan made a promising start to his Test career with an impressive 62 off 66 balls.
In his first international outing, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel too batted very well for a neat 46 off 104 balls and the seasoned Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with 37 while sharing a 77-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
India resumed the second day on their overnight score of 326/5 with Jadeja and night-watchman Kuldeep Yadav (1) at the crease.
Both Jadeja and Kuldeep, however, got out at the start of second day as India slipped to 331/7.
Ashwin and Jurel then steadied the innings.
For England, returning pacer Mark Wood finished with figures of 4/114 in 27.5 overs.
(With PTI Inputs)
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