Sarfaraz Khan’s much-awaited debut was in the headlines on the first day of the third Test between India and England in Rajkot. Despite consistently performing well in the Indian domestic circuit, Sarfaraz had patiently waited for his international debut. When the moment finally came, he seemed ready for a big innings. Entering the crease when India was at four wickets and Ravindra Jadeja was in the 80s at the other end, Sarfaraz displayed confidence and boundary-hitting ability.
“Sarfaraz was dominating in that partnership. Jadeja, I thought had got into a shell, that sometimes creates a mindset where you are not clear about the decision making. And maybe that was one of the reasons and possibly I passed on my bad luck of getting run out on debut because I got run out on my debut. But at least he got 65 (Sarfaraz scored 62) more,” Anil Kumble said on Jio Cinema.
In a remarkable first innings, Sarfaraz Khan displayed an impressive strike rate, reaching his half-century in just 48 balls. However, when he was on 62 off 65 balls, he was run out due to a regrettable blunder with Ravindra Jadeja, causing obvious disappointment and frustration, so much so that Indian captain Rohit Sharma had to express his disappointment in the dressing room.
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Former Indian captain and coach Anil Kumble objected to the dismissal and blamed it on a momentary lapse in decision making. Reflecting on his debut experience, Kumble said, “Probably I forgot my bad luck of being run out in my debut match because I was run out in my debut match itself. But at least he scored 65 (Sarfaraz 62) Score more runs.”
Despite the setback, India stitched a formidable 204-run partnership between captain Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, putting them firmly in control at the end of the first day. The scoreboard was 326/5 with Ravindra Jadeja (110*) and Kuldeep Yadav. 1*) Not out till stumps.
Rohit Sharma’s brilliant performance put to rest any doubts about his Test form as he scored 131 off 196 balls to give India a strong start to the innings. After the captain’s departure, Sarfaraz Khan brightened the host team’s day with a brilliant inning of 62 runs in 66 balls.
WATCH – Rohit Sharma’s Frustration Evident As Sarfaraz Khan’s Dream Debut Marred By Untimely Run-Out
Despite England’s fast bowlers taking an early lead and Tom Hartley taking one wicket, a strong 204-run partnership between Rohit and Jadeja reinvigorated India’s position in the game. As the day progressed after tea, India started playing at 185/3, but Rohit (97*) and Jadeja (68*) were at the crease.
