In a moment of triumph and eruption of joy, Sarfaraz Khan marked a highly anticipated milestone in his cricketing career as he struck his maiden international century on Saturday, October 19. This exceptional feat came during the fourth day of the ongoing first Test between India and New Zealand at the bustling M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz’s masterful century, achieved in a brisk 110 deliveries, significantly revived India’s prospects in a thoroughly gripping Test match.
With the stadium bustling with anticipation and excitement, Sarfaraz marked his century with precision and finesse. On the third delivery of the 57th over, the accomplished right-handed batsman deftly played a back foot punch through the covers off Tim Southee, a renowned New Zealand pacer. As the ball raced toward the boundary, the crowd erupted in a collective cheer, celebrating Sarfaraz’s remarkable achievement.
The magnitude of Sarfaraz’s century cannot be overstated, as it represents his fourth Test match appearance for Team India, underscoring the significance of the milestone. The 26-year-old batter’s innings proved to be a lifeline for India, invigorating their chances of overturning the opposition at the iconic Bengaluru stadium. His brilliant knock not only brought India within striking range of New Zealand’s first innings total but also narrowed the deficit considerably, altering the dynamics of the match.
Throughout his tenacious innings, Sarfaraz Khan demonstrated his resolute spirit and skillful stroke play. Refusing to be subdued by the Kiwi bowlers, he orchestrated a masterclass of counterattacking cricket. Standing firm under pressure, Sarfaraz forged a formidable 136-run partnership for the third wicket alongside Virat Kohli, the former India skipper.
. This crucial partnership against New Zealand was instrumental in keeping the visitors on the defensive, constantly challenging their plans and strategies.
Intriguingly, Sarfaraz Khan has become the second cricketer from India to achieve the accolade of scoring both a duck and a century within the same Test match against New Zealand. The only other Indian cricketer to accomplish this was Shikhar Dhawan, who recorded a duck followed by a scintillating 115 against the Blackcaps at Eden Park in Auckland in 2014. Sarfaraz’s unique accomplishment now sits among these storied Test performances.
In addition to his maiden century, Sarfaraz Khan’s career in Test cricket has been marked by consistent performance. His knock in Bengaluru is his fourth fifty-plus score in the format, with prior impressive innings of 62, 68 not out, and 56 registered against England in Rajkot and Dharamsala earlier in the year. These achievements underscore his growing prominence and potential as a vital player for India’s Test lineup.
Here’s a look at the playing elevens for this enthralling Test match:
India’s Playing XI featured Rohit Sharma as captain, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant taking up the wicketkeeper role, along with Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj comprising the rest of the squad.
Meanwhile, New Zealand fielded Tom Latham as captain, supported by a lineup that included Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell in the role of wicketkeeper, alongside Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, and William O’Rourke.
As the Test match progressed, Sarfaraz Khan’s landmark innings undoubtedly became a pivotal element in what has been a fiercely competitive series. Fans, teammates, and cricket enthusiasts alike revel in witnessing a player’s dream of an international century turn into an exuberant reality. The celebrations and euphoria that greeted Sarfaraz Khan’s maiden Test century vividly encapsulate the spirit and passion that cricket inspires across the globe.
