Fri Oct 18 10:44:11 UTC 2024: ## Sarfaraz Khan’s India Comeback Starts with a Duck in First Test
**Bengaluru, India:** Sarfaraz Khan’s hopes of a successful comeback to the Indian Test team suffered a major setback as he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the India vs New Zealand first Test at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The right-handed batsman, brought in to replace the injured Shubman Gill, attempted to counterattack the New Zealand seamers on a pitch offering assistance. However, he mistimed a shot, sending the ball straight into the hands of mid-off fielder, Devon Conway, for a catch.
Sarfaraz had impressed with a record-breaking 222 in the Irani Cup earlier this month, but was unable to capitalize on his opportunity in the first Test.
The match itself saw a strong focus on spin bowling, with India opting for an extra spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, replacing pacer Akash Deep. New Zealand countered with three seamers and only one specialist spinner, Ajaz Patel, supported by all-rounders Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips.
First Piper 