The world of cricket witnessed a remarkable feat as Sarfaraz Khan etched his name in the annals of the sport with his first Test century, a masterclass of resilience and skill. A mere 24 hours after a disappointing duck in the first innings, Sarfaraz turned the tables on his critics and opponents, navigating his team from a precarious deficit of 251 runs to a promising lead of 52, eventually being dismissed for a splendid 150.
Amidst the tension on the field, his performance was a testament to turning adversities into opportunities. The exhilarating 177-run partnership with Rishabh Pant was not only a strategic collaboration but also a spectacle that left spectators, both in the stadium and online, in awe. Viral moments such as Sarfaraz’s spirited celebration of his century, which had his teammates in stitches, and the desperate attempts to stop Pant from risking a second run despite his ailment, will long be remembered.
Sarfaraz later confessed to temporarily forgetting Pant’s injury during their intense innings. His animated gestures – interpreted as excitement by onlookers – were, in fact, earnest attempts to alert his partner to tread cautiously, underscoring the depth of their on-field camaraderie.
This performance was a déjà vu moment for the duo, bringing back memories of a 72-run partnership merely a month prior on the same ground. During that red-ball cricket affair, against bowlers like Akash Deep and Kuldeep Yadav, their formidable counterattack had been pivotal in clinching a victory. That game also stood out for the spectacular display when Sarfaraz hit Akash Deep for five straight boundaries, a sequence initiated with an elegant dab past gully. This particular shot, once again, became emblematic during his Test century.
The brilliant execution of the dab shot was critical to his innings. Prior to this match, Sarfaraz had attempted such shots but had not achieved them as frequently or successfully. In this match alone, he scored 58 out of his 92 runs behind square on the offside, diversifying his play with still bunts, ramps over the wicketkeeper, and ambitious upper-cuts, covering the width of angles through crafty placements past gully or wide of the third man.
While his batting evolution predominantly targeted fast bowlers, even accomplished spinners weren’t spared. He audaciously attacked deliveries with an alert slip, maintaining dexterous control. By the time he reached his century, 44 of his runs were scored in the third-man area—a clear deviation from conventional straight drives.
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The opposition’s strategy to exploit his short stature on a bouncy pitch seemingly backfired. The more New Zealand persisted in exploiting bouncers, the more Sarfaraz flourished. Eventually, they were forced to abandon this tactic. Reflecting on the unbeaten day’s play, New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke, who ended with seven wickets in the match, conceded the effectiveness of Sarfaraz’s play. “I think he probably played me really well,” O’Rourke admitted, indicating the influence of Sarfaraz’s native technique.
Sarfaraz’s batting style is a homegrown marvel, cultivated meticulously by his father, Naushad Khan, often referred to fondly as the “family doctor” by Sarfaraz. Thanks to the floodlit facilities in their backyard, Sarfaraz spent countless hours honing his skills. Though unconventional, his technique has proven immensely effective and appreciated by his teammates, as reaffirmed by Kuldeep Yadav’s earlier acknowledgment.
“It was fun,” said Sarfaraz after the fourth day’s performance. A fondness for tackling high-rising balls cultivated on bouncy Mumbai pitches clearly shone through. He adapted adeptly to New Zealand’s short ball strategy, making risks seem almost routine.
Despite his sterling ton, the overall team’s position seemed precarious by the end of the day. India faced a challenging target of 107 to deny New Zealand the upper hand. Yet, Sarfaraz remained optimistic and steadfast. “It isn’t an easy wicket to bat on, and I don’t think the game is out of our hands yet,” he stated, expressing hope that early breakthroughs on the final day could tilt the balance in their favor.
With his pivotal innings boosting the spirit of his squad, Sarfaraz Khan stands ready to target another breakthrough, reinforcing the belief that a turnaround is always within grasp.