NEW DELHI:
Sarfaraz Khan
on Thursday made history by securing the joint-second fastest half-century for India on Test debut, achieving this milestone in 48 balls against England in the third Test at Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot
Sarfaraz joined the ranks of
Hardik Pandya
as the joint-second fastest Indian batsman to reach a half-century on his Test debut.
Hardik had previously achieved this feat in 48 balls during his debut against Sri Lanka in 2017. Sarfaraz and Pandya trail only behind former India cricketer Yadavenadrasingh (Yuvraj of Patiala), who accomplished a half-century in his first and last Test in a mere 42 deliveries in 1934.
However, Sarfaraz suffered a scary run-out halting his innings on 62. On 99,
Ravindra Jadeja
pushed one straight to mid-on and called Sarfaraz Khan, who reacted immediately only to be sold down the river by the senior partner.
Mark Wood, guiding the mid-on region picked the ball and with a direct hit on the non-strike end caught Sarfaraz short and halted his innings. Sarfaraz's innings was built on nine boundaries and a single six off Joe Root.
India, riding on Jadeja and
Rohit Sharma
's centuries, posted a mammoth score of 326/5 at the end of Day 1.
India were in potential trouble when they found themselves down 33 for 3 on a pitch full of runs, especially with two debutants to come. However, they managed to reach 326 for 5 at stumps thanks to a 204-run partnership for the fourth wicket, India's first century-stand of the series, between Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.
In a stunning debut, Sarfaraz Khan blasted 62 off 66 before being run out.
(With inputs from IANS)
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