After years of toiling in the domestic circuit, India batter Sarfaraz Khan made his debut in the longest format during the ongoing third Test against England in Rajkot. In 45 first-class matches, Sarfaraz scored 3,912 runs at an average of 69.85, with 14 centuries and 11 fifties, with the best score being 301 not out. He also did well for India A, scoring 96 in a Tour match then 4, 55, and 161 in two unofficial Tests against the England Lions recently.
Sarfaraz and his father Naushad’s hardwork finally paid off on Thursday as he was included in India’s XI for the third Test. Naushad was seen in tears as Sarfaraz received his debut cap from former India captain Anil Kumble.
An emotional Naushad took the cap from his son and kissed the badge on it. He was later invited to the hindi commentary box in the morning session, with former India cricketers Aakash Chopra and RP Singh in company.
On being asked if he had too wait for too long to see Sarfaraz make his Test debut, Naushad said: “Raat ko waqt chahiye guzarne ke liye, lekin Suraj meri marzi se nahi nikalne wala (it takes time for the night to pass, the sun is not going to rise according to my wish).”
Meanwhile, apart from Sarfaraz, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel also received his maiden Test cap from veteran cricketer Dinesh Karthik.
Speaking of the match, India captain Rohit Sharma decided to bat first at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Thursday.
At lunch on Day 1, Rohit (52* runs from 74 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (24 runs from 44 balls) were on the crease as India stood at 93/3.
Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal (10 runs from 10) opened for the hosts and had a steady start to the game.
The young opener faced England quick James Anderson in the first ball of the Test match, but the 22-year-old did not hesitate to smash a four.
However, Jaiswal fell short in the 4th over and had to leave the crease Mark Wood enduced the edge that went to the slip cordon. Shubman Gill replaced Jaiswal on the pitch.
But Gill failed to score a run after facing nine balls and was dismissed by Wood in the 6th over once again fending an away going delivery to be caught behind. Rajat Patidar came on the crease in place of Gill.
Patidar tried to build a partnership with the India skipper but failed as Tom Hartley bagged his wicket in the 9th over.
(With ANI Inputs)
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