How can one not be romantic about cricket? The beauty and impact of the gentleman’s game was in full display today as debutant Sarfaraz Khan received his debut Test cap for India.
Sarfaraz, who has had a tumultuous road to catch his first break, received his debut Test cap from none other than the legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble.
It has been a long time coming for Sarfaraz, who has been putting up stellar performances in domestic cricket galore, but has also been struggling to break into the ranks to represent India on the international stage.
And it was all too much for the young Sarfaraz’s father, Naushad Khan, to take in, as he wept tears of joy upon witnessing the occasion.
Exciting times in Test cricket as Sarfaraz Khan makes his debut! A special moment for both him and India.All the best Sarfaraz Khan #INDvsENGTest #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/xX6PMU1m7P
— (@Zimbu12_) February 15, 2024
Finally After all the hard work in domestic Cricket Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel making a debut against England.Sarfaraz Khan’s Father gets emotional and Can’t Control his tears.This is the best moment for any Cricketer and you live for this moment.Congratulations to both of… pic.twitter.com/O1Wwk2InJu
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) February 15, 2024
Sarfaraz Khan’s father kissing his son Test debut Cap for India.– This is emotional moment…!!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Z1OYwLbgle
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) February 15, 2024
Naushad was at the Saurashtra Cricket Association in Rajkot on Thursday as he watched the cap presentation ceremony of his son from close quarters. He took his son’s debut cap onto his hands and kissed the badge that has eluded his son all this while with an overwhelming sense of pride and joy.
Why Sartfaraz had not made it to the Indian Test side earlier is a contentious question that has received very few convincing answers.
Sarfaraz has cemented his status as one of the most prolific batters in first-class cricket, where the right-hander has scored 3912 runs in just 45 matches at a blistering average of 69.85.
Yet another shining aspect of his game has been his ability to convert his starts into massive run-churning innings – he has 14 tons and 11 half-centuries.
And this aspect of his game is exactly what India will be looking to tap into and capitalize on today, for their lack of firepower in the middle-order has been a glaring issue.
Over the last two Tests, there has been quite a few collapses from the middle-order with the bat, and it has been up to the likes of youngsters such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to dig deep and pull India out of trouble.
Sarfaraz offers a wide array of shots with a knack for taking on spinners at his own will, which is yet another bonus for India, whose middle-order has been struggling against the English spinners.
Sarfaraz will be making his debut in the third Test at Rajkot today alongside Dhruv Jurel as India take on England.
Comments
0 comment