Sarfaraz Khan makes debut. Sarfaraz Khan, a promising 26-year-old batsman with an impressive track record in domestic cricket, finally made his debut in the India vs England 3rd Test match in Rajkot. The emotional moment was marked by the presence of his father, who was visibly moved as Khan received his Test cap from the legendary Indian cricketer Anil Kumble.
Critics had long questioned why Sarfaraz Khan, with his outstanding batting performances in domestic cricket, had not been given an opportunity in the Indian national team. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar had earlier predicted Khan’s debut in the third Test in Rajkot, emphasizing the importance of having Indian batters who excel against spin in the series.
Manjrekar expressed his view, stating, “The quality needed in this series is Indian batters who play spin well. That’s where Sarfaraz Khan suddenly makes his case very strong. I would want Rajat Patidar as the incumbent at number four and then have Sarfaraz Khan at number five, given his consistent form and prior position in the queue.”
Highlighting the significance of Sarfaraz Khan’s experience and form, Manjrekar added, “The form he’s had over the long term should count for something and have more weightage than Devdutt Padikkal, who had a great run of late. Sarfaraz Khan would be an interesting batter for India to challenge the English spinners.”
Sarfaraz Khan’s impressive statistics in domestic cricket further solidify his credentials. In the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season, he emerged as the highest run-scorer with 982 runs in six matches. His consistent performances in previous seasons, including 928 runs in 2019-20 and 556 runs in 2022-23, showcased his batting prowess.
The batsman also showcased his skills in practice matches against England’s B team, recording a high score of 161. With an overall record of 3,912 runs in 45 matches, including 14 centuries and 11 half-centuries, Sarfaraz Khan’s highest score of 301 not out underlines his potential as a valuable asset for the Indian team. Additionally, he contributed with a solid 96 for India A in a Tour match.
In a significant development, Dhruv Jurel also made his Test debut alongside Sarfaraz Khan. The Uttar Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman has been included in the playing XI, replacing KS Bharat. The inclusion of these debutants adds a fresh dimension to the Indian squad, and fans eagerly await their contributions in the ongoing Test series against England.
