Sun Oct 20 08:59:47 UTC 2024: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted Sarfaraz Khan’s performance in the first Test against New Zealand as a significant indicator of his potential impact on India’s upcoming tour of Australia. Sarfaraz scored his maiden Test century, finishing with 150 runs on a challenging pitch, demonstrating his batting skills under tricky conditions at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which were often affected by rain.
Manjrekar emphasized that Sarfaraz’s adaptability and technique make him a strong candidate to handle the Australian pace attack, including bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. He noted Sarfaraz’s calm demeanor and excellent hand-eye coordination, suggesting that he would be difficult for Australian bowlers to contend with.
In the match, Sarfaraz’s innings helped stabilize India’s position after the loss of Virat Kohli, who scored 70 runs. His partnership with Rishabh Pant, who fell just short of his century at 99, was crucial in setting a second-innings total of 462 runs, leaving New Zealand with a challenging target of 107 runs. Despite a late collapse by India, which saw them lose four wickets quickly, Sarfaraz’s performance underscored his readiness for tougher conditions abroad.
First Piper 