Sarafaraz Khan (right) and his wife.© AFP and X
Sarfaraz Khan on Thursday made his India debut during the third Test of the five-match series against England in Rajkot. A prolific run-getter in Indian domestic cricket, Sarfaraz got his Test cap from former captain Anil Kumble with his teary-eyed father, Naushad Khan, and wife looking on from a close distance. The batter made the most of the opportunity with his 48-ball fifty to take the attack to the opposition bowlers and shine on a day of centuries by skipper Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.
Sarfaraz reached his fifty after a dominant show against the spinners and raised the bat to his family and the applauding dressing room. His wife’s reaction as the batter raced to his half-century is now going viral on social media.
Watch it here:
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Sarfaraz, often criticised for being overweight, has been knocking on the selectors doors for more than three years while scoring in the domestic Ranji Trophy and has a first-class average of over 69 in 45 matches and a best of 301 not out.
In his debut match, Sarfaraz came out to bat after Rohit’s departure and, following a nervous start, found his rhythm with boundaries to entertain the crowd.
“I was padded for almost four hours. I kept thinking that I have kept so much patience in life and there is no harm in keeping some more,” he said.
“After I went in, was nervous for first few balls but I have practised and worked so hard that everything went well.”
India were bowled for 445 in their first innings on the second day of the third Test against England in Rajkot on Friday. Rohit (131) and Jadeja (112) were the top-scorers with fine hundreds while debutant Sarfaraz’s promising start to his Test career with an impressive 62 off 66 balls also played a key role for the hosts.
(With AFP Inputs)
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