Sarfaraz Khan’s entry into the international cricket scene during the India-England series has been nothing short of sensational. With a stellar performance in his debut Test, he quickly became the talk of the town, amassing 130 runs across two innings, including back-to-back half-centuries that left cricket aficionados in awe.
Debut to Remember
On February 15, 2024, Sarfaraz Khan made a memorable debut during the third Test against England in Rajkot. His first innings was a display of sheer talent and aggression, scoring a brisk 62 off just 66 balls, adorned with 9 boundaries and a towering six. Khan’s fifty, achieved in a mere 48 balls, drew comparisons to Hardik Pandya’s lightning-fast debut milestone against Sri Lanka in 2017.
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Steadfast Performer
In his second innings, Khan continued to impress, crafting an unbeaten 68 off 72 deliveries, showcasing his ability to find the boundaries with ease, tallying 6 fours and 3 sixes.
Joining the ranks of cricketing legends like Dilawar Hussain, Sunil Gavaskar, and Shreyas Iyer, Khan became only the fourth Indian cricketer to achieve twin fifties on Test debut. His striking rate of 94.44 remains unmatched among the select few with two fifty-plus scores in their maiden Test innings.
Unexpected Turn
However, cricket’s unpredictable nature came to light in the ongoing second innings of the fourth Test, as Khan faced an unexpected twist of fate. Facing Shoaib Bashir’s hat-trick ball, the 26-year-old prodigy departed with a golden duck, much to the disbelief of fans worldwide.
The dismissal, a result of an inside edge onto the pad, sparked a wave of memes across social media platforms, with even Anand Mahindra, who famously gifted Khan’s father a Thar, becoming a subject of meme creativity.
Drama
As the match unfolded, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal laid a sturdy foundation for India with their solid partnership. However, the momentum shifted when Jaiswal succumbed to Joe Root’s bowling, providing England with a crucial breakthrough. Despite Rohit’s resilient half-century, England capitalized on the opportunity, striking swiftly to dismiss both him and Rajat Patidar in rapid succession.
This flurry of wickets injected a sense of excitement and tension into the game, as England fought back valiantly. Yet, amidst the turmoil, Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja took charge, steadying India’s innings with their composed batting display. Just when stability seemed to be restored, Jadeja’s departure tilted the balance once again, leaving the match delicately poised and hanging in the balance, with both teams vying for supremacy.
