RAJKOT, Feb 15:
Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja made classical Test match hundreds while debutant Sarfaraz Khan announced his arrival on the big stage with a fluent half-century as India reached 326 for five at stumps on day one of the third Test against England here on Thursday.
With India reduced to 33 for three inside the first hour of play, Rohit (131 off 196) and Jadeja (110 batting off 212) steered the ship through choppy waters with a 204-run partnership.
After the pair was separated, Sarfaraz (62 off 66) scored the joint fastest fifty by an Indian on debut to push India past the 300-run mark.
Jadeja was batting with nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (1 batting) at close of play.
In batting friendly conditions, the home team will be looking get near the 500-run mark on day two.
For England, fast bowler Mark Wood (3/69) vindicated his selection as England’s second pacer with a two-wicket burst in the morning, accounting for Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) and Shubman Gill (0), while spinner Tom Hartley (1/81) got the better of Rajat Patidar (5) to leave India tottering.
Jaiswal was caught in the slips by Joe Root while Gill looked susceptible against the moving ball. After beating Gill on the inside edge, Wood found an outside edge to send back India’s No 3 for a nine-ball duck.
Patidar was outdone by a ball from Hartley that neither spun sharply nor bounced unevenly but seemed to have slowed off the surface. Patidar was unable to control his shot as the ball simply ballooned towards short cover for a regulation catch.
The pressure on the Indian camp was palpable and the team management opted for a safer route by holding Sarfaraz back and promote Jadeja at No 5 — a spot where he has batted at in only five out of his 70 Tests yet.
What transpired after the first hour calmed all the nerves in the dressing room as senior pros Rohit and Jadeja recorded only the third double-century partnership for India against England in 135 Tests.
With 204 runs for the fourth wicket, Rohit and Jadeja joined the esteemed company of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly (249 vs England at Leeds in August 2002) and Vijay Hazare and Vijay Manjrekar (222 vs England at Leeds in June 1952) for having put on more than 200 against the Englishmen. (PTI)
SCOREBOARD
India 1st Innings
Yashasvi Jaiswal c Root b Wood 10
Rohit Sharma c Stokes b Wood 131
Shubman Gill c Foakes b Wood 0
Rajat Patidar c Duckett b Hartley 5
Ravindra Jadeja batting 110
Sarfaraz Khan run out 62
Kuldeep Yadav batting 1
Extras (B-1, LB-3, NB-2, W-1) 7
Total (For five wickets in 86 overs) 326/5
Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-24, 3-33, 4-237, 5-314
Bowling: James Anderson 19-5-51-0, Mark Wood 17-2-69-3, Tom Hartley 23-3-81-1, Joe Root 13-1-68-0, Rehan Ahmed 14-0-53-0.
My thinking has changed, says Sarfaraz’s father
Sarfaraz Khan being ignored season after season despite making a mountain of runs in domestic cricket did shatter hopes of his devoted father but all of that disappointment made way for tears of joy on Thursday when his son made his Test debut.
Naushad Khan, Sarfaraz’s “proud” father and mentor, could not control his tears after the middle-order batter received his India cap from the great Anil Kumble.
Speaking after the special moment, Naushad said Sarfaraz’s case proves that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
“Earlier when I used to put in a lot of hardwork (on Sarfaraz), I used to think that why my dream doesn’t become a reality. But after getting the Test cap my thoughts have changed for all kids who are working.
“Raat ko wakht do guzarne ke liye, suraj apni hi samay pe niklega (Give time for the night to end, sun will rise at its own time),” Naushad said.
Jadeja apologises for Sarfaraz’s run out
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Thursday apologised to Sarfaraz Khan for a “wrong call” that led to the debutant batter getting run out on day one of third Test against England.
“Feeling bad for @sarfarazkhan97. It was my wrong call, well played,” Jadeja posted on his Instagram handle.
A consistent performer on the domestic circuit, Sarfaraz had to wait years for his maiden India call-up, which came ahead of the Vizag Test.
India’s most successful Test bowler, Anil Kumble, presented the Test cap to Sarfaraz in an emotional ceremony witnessed by the latter’s family.
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