Sarfaraz Khan’s debut in the India vs England test series was one of the success stories coming out of the five-match contest. Sarfaraz Khan’s long wait for an international debut made the occasion all the more special. One of the most consistent performers in domestic circuit, Sarfaraz Khan proved that he is meant for the big stage with his good show against Ben Stokes and Co. He scored three half-centuries in five innings.
He could have converted those into triple-figures, but he got dismissed at crucial junctures. In Dharamsala, on the second day of the fifth Test, Sarfaraz Khan fell on 56 off 60 balls. His entertaining knock consisted eight fours and one six.
However, just when it looked like Sarfaraz was going to get a big score, he fell on the first ball of the third session to Shoaib Bashir. Sarfaraz was caught by Joe Root at slips as his late cut went wrong. Before that, Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal had struck a 95-plus stand. After Sarfaraz’s dismissal, India lost wickets in quick succession.
Former Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar was not satisfied with the attempt by Sarfaraz Khan.
“The ball was pitched up; it wasn’t short enough for that shot. Goes for it and pays the price. I mean you are playing the first ball after tea. Give yourself a little sighter. Don Bradman said to me ‘Every ball that I face, even if I am on 200, I think I am on 0.’ And here is [Sarfaraz] is… playing such a shot first ball of the session,” Gavaskar said during commentary in JioCinema.
There might be a reason why Sunil Gavaskar got so involved in the dismissal. The duo had a long chat on the first evening of the Test, with Gavaskar giving Sarfaraz some valuable insights. Dubai-based businessman Shyam Bhatia had set up the meeting and he told thenationalnews.com that Sarfaraz Khan was depressed after the dismissal.
“Sunil was telling him that the most important thing is selection of shots,” Shyam Bhatia said.
“It is very important. He was talking to him for around 45 minutes. Then in the match, immediately after tea he got out to a very stupid shot.
“Sunil was so angry, and asked on commentary what he was doing. The next day, Sarfaraz was with me again and said, ‘Sir, please say sorry to Mr Gavaskar – I made a mistake! I won’t make that mistake again.'”
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