After Sarfaraz Khan hammered a fierce half-century in India’s second innings of the first Test match against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, October 18, Sanjay Manjrekar was gushing about the young player. The Mumbai hitter had some great performance against England earlier this year, but he was not given a chance to play against Bangladesh in the previous series. But when Shubman Gill was declared out of the first Test because of stiff neck, Sarfaraz’s return was made possible, and the right-handed batsman did not let anyone down.
Sarfaraz was caught at mid-off after attempting to break the shackles with an aerial shot during the first innings in trying circumstances. The innings ended with him managing only a three-ball duck. That didn’t dampen his spirits, though, as he rushed to 70 off 78 balls at Stumps and displayed some incredible movements in the second innings against the formidable bowlers from New Zealand on Day 3.
Manjrekar likened the 26-year-old to Javed Miandad, the renowned batter from Pakistan. According to the former Indian cricket player, Sarfaraz is a skilled spin bowler who also showed promise against quick bowlers.
Although this is a 2024 Javed Miandad, he (Sarfaraz) reminds me of one from the 1980s. Very pleased with his playing style. Although Sarfaraz is known for his skill with spin, Manjrekar told, “I liked the way he played fast bowlers.”
I adored the way he dodged bouncers: Sanjay Manjrekar
Sarfaraz’s desperation to be undefeated at Stumps was evident in his ducking bouncers towards the end of Day 3, which pleased Manjrekar as well.
He was trying to play defensively and wanted bad light toward the end of the (third) day’s play, but there was strong light instead. He was attempting to play the day out and I liked the way he was ducking to bouncers. Sarfaraz Khan for Australia and India would benefit from this since he has demonstrated that aspect of batting as well, Manjrekar continued.
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Sarfaraz and Kohli put on a brilliant 136-run partnership to ensure that the deficit was reduced to 125 after giving up a massive 356-run advantage in the first innings. Sarfaraz and India would like to eliminate the deficit on Day 4 without losing too many wickets, after which they would like to establish a goal for the visitors.
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