Sarfaraz Khan scored a half-century in his debut Test match against England at Rajkot on Thursday. Sarfaraz, batting alongside Ravindra Jadeja blasted seven fours and a six to reach his 50 in 48 balls. He made 62 runs off 66 balls before being run out. It was the fastest fifty by an Indian on Test debut.
With Jadeja holding one end, Sarfaraz took the English spinners head-on to raise the run rate. Rehan Ahmed, Joe Root and Tom Hartley were punished by the 26-year-old. In the 77th over of the game, he struck Hartley for a straight six to move to 49. In the very next ball, the penultimate of the over, he flicked one wide of the mid-wicket to complete the milestone. The Rajkot crowd and the Indian dugout joined Sarfaraz's family in cheering him on.
A consistent performer on the domestic circuit for Mumbai, Sarfaraz has been in contention for national selection for a long time.
Unfortunate dismissal against the run of play
Sarfaraz's brilliant innings was cut short by Mark Wood in the 82nd over following a mixup with Jadeja. Batting on 99, Jadeja played a shot off James Anderson towards mid-on. Jadeja wanted the single but decided to step back as he saw Wood charging at the ball. Sarfaraz too, tried to make it back to the non-striker's end but couldn't make it before Wood's throw hit the stumps.
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Earlier, Sarfaraz was presented his cap by former India captain and most successful Test bowler Anil Kumble.
India vs England: As it happened on Day 1
Captain Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja slammed centuries under pressure in a 204-run partnership as India recovered from a jittery start to pile 326 for 5 on the opening day of the third Test against England here on Thursday.
England pacer Mark Wood (3/69) removed last match double centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) and Shubman Gill (0) in successive overs, while left-arm spinner Tom Hartley (1/81) accounted for Rajat Patidar (5) to reduced India to 33/3 after Rohit opted to bat.
But, Rohit, after being dropped on 27 by Joe Root, went on to score 131 off 196 balls (14x4, 3x6) for his first century in 11 innings to lead by example.
Promoted to No. 5, Jadeja remained unbeaten on 110 off 212 balls (9x4, 2x6).
Nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav was unbeaten on 1 off 10 balls at stumps.
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