On the second day of the fifth Test between India and England in Dharamsala, tensions flared as England’s Mark Wood engaged in a heated exchange with India’s Sarfaraz Khan. The incident occurred in the 76th over, with Wood feeling the pressure after an unproductive spell, conceding 62 runs without a wicket.
Sarfaraz exacerbated Mark Wood’s frustration by dispatching him for two consecutive fours in the over’s opening deliveries. The confrontation reached a boiling point when Wood delivered a short ball, prompting Sarfaraz to execute a ramp shot for another boundary.
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In a moment of retaliation, Mark Wood attempted to run Sarfaraz out as the batsman defended the fourth ball and sought a quick single. Reacting swiftly, Wood kicked the ball towards the stumps before exchanging words with Sarfaraz, who remained composed and refrained from responding to the sledging.
Wood’s got pace? Sarfaraz has the answer 😎#IDFCFirstBankTestSeries #BazBowled #INDvENG #JioCinemaSport pic.twitter.com/htRkcp57X1
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 8, 2024
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— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) March 8, 2024
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Despite the verbal altercation, Sarfaraz Khan let his bat do the talking in the subsequent over. He unleashed a flurry of strokes, including a magnificent six off Wood’s bowling, propelling India to a commanding position at 357 for 3 after 80 overs. Sarfaraz was at 43, partnered by debutant Devdutt Padikkal, who stood unbeaten on 38.
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The duo’s resilient partnership, worth 78 runs, resurrected India’s innings after the dismissals of centurions Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in quick succession. Rohit’s brilliant 103 and Gill’s composed 110 laid the foundation for India’s dominance earlier in the day, following a stellar bowling effort that restricted England to a modest 218 in their first innings.
As the match unfolded, Sarfaraz’s cool demeanour and decisive batting propelled India towards a formidable total, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversities, both on and off the field.
