Sarfaraz Khan smashed his maiden Test century to lead India’s fightback in a challenging innings against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
India’s batter Sarfaraz Khan finally etched his name in India’s Test cricket history, smashing his maiden Test hundred in the IND vs NZ first test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. Batting at No. 4, Sarfaraz’s knock came at a crucial moment for India, when most of the batters failed to put up big numbers on the board.
Partnering with Kohli to counter-attack
After being set a daunting target of 356 in their second innings, Sarfaraz stepped up to the occasion, forging a strong partnership with the experienced Virat Kohli on Day 3. By the end of Friday’s play, the 26-year-old had raced to 70, showing incredible poise under pressure. Even though Kohli was dismissed on the last ball of the day, Sarfaraz was not deterred.
Reaching the milestone with Pant by his side
On Day 4, Sarfaraz resumed his attacking game, this time with Rishabh Pant accompanying him at the crease. In just 110 balls, the Mumbaikar reached his maiden Test hundred, marking the moment with a series of boundaries. His century was decorated with 13 fours and three sixes.
Sarfaraz joining an elite club of No. 4 centurions
Sarfaraz’s ton placed him in an elite group, as he became only the seventh Indian No. 4 to score a Test century in this century. His name now stands alongside legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, and Ajinkya Rahane.
Comeback for Sarfaraz after first innings duck
Replacing the injured Shubman Gill in the playing XI, Sarfaraz had a poor first inning, getting out for a duck as India were bowled out for their lowest home total of 46 runs. However, his second-innings heroics more than made up for it.
Top fist-class cricketer in form
This century was Sarfaraz’s 16th in First-Class cricket, continuing his remarkable form. Known for scoring big, he has converted 10 of his 15 First-Class tons into scores of 150 or more, including four double hundreds. Just earlier this month, he made a statement with a double century for Mumbai in the Irani Cup.
Bright future for Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz’s Test career began with a bang when he smashed twin half-centuries on debut against England in Rajkot. He followed that up with another fifty in Dharamsala, contributing to India’s 3-1 series victory. Now, he scored his first Test cricket century and this marks the rise of the Mumbaikar batter with better days to come in the future.
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