Mumbai’s talented batter, Sarfaraz Khan, finally realized his dream of making his Test debut. The 25-year-old received his maiden Test cap from legendary cricketer Anil Kumble during the team huddle ahead of the 3rd Test between India and England in Rajkot on Thursday, February 15.
Sarfaraz Khan’s wife, Romana Zahoor, and father, Naushad Khan, were emotionally overwhelmed as they witnessed Sarfaraz’s proud moment. Unable to hold back tears, Naushad and Romana were present at the Saurashtra Cricket Association in Rajkot during the cap presentation ceremony.
Alongside Sarfaraz, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel also received his maiden Test cap from Dinesh Karthik, adding to the celebratory atmosphere within the Indian camp.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, India gained an early advantage on what appeared to be a promising batting pitch. With the inclusion of debutants Sarfaraz and Jurel, India showcased their depth and talent, dropping Axar Patel and KS Bharat from the lineup.
Sarfaraz Khan’s journey to the Test arena has been marked by consistent performances in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy. With an impressive record for Mumbai, he has amassed 3912 runs in 45 first-class matches, boasting an average of 69.85, including 14 centuries and 11 fifties.
Despite bursting onto the scene with impactful performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, Sarfaraz’s true prowess was recognized through his stellar performances in domestic cricket and India A matches, where he impressed against England Lions.
Following injuries to key players like KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz had to bide his time for his Test debut. However, the absence of Virat Kohli and Rahul for the match in Rajkot paved the way for his inclusion, finally ending his prolonged wait to represent India in Test cricket.
