Watch: Debutant Sarfaraz Khan was sold down the river by Ravindra Jadeja as the latter neared a hundred, running the right-hander out close to the end of play on day one of the third Test against England.
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After an early collapse which saw India reduced to 33-3, Jadeja and Rohit Sharma steadied things for the hosts, stitching together a mammoth partnership of 204 runs for the fourth wicket.
Rohit’s wicket brought debutant Sarfaraz to the crease, who seemed to take to Test cricket like duck to water. Getting off the mark off his sixth ball, Sarfaraz didn’t take much time to get into his naturally attacking zone.
His first six came off the 47th ball he faced, taking him to 49, before he reached his maiden Test 50 off just 48 balls. Looking set to go big, he was dealt a cruel hand five overs later.
5⃣0⃣ in his first international innings 🔥
Sarfaraz Khan has announced his arrival in some style 😎#SarfarazKhan #India #INDvsENG #Tests #Cricket pic.twitter.com/nly5GRMdOU
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) February 15, 2024
Jadeja, batting on 99, was desperate to take a single and reach his century. On the fifth ball of the 82nd over, bowled by James Anderson, Jadeja pushed a full delivery to mid-on where Wood rushed in to pick up and throw in one motion at the non-striker’s end.
Jadeja had taken a couple of steps forward, to which Sarfaraz responded by doing the same before Jadeja stopped, leaving the debutant in no-man’s land. He turned around hoping that Wood’s throw would miss the stumps. But it didn’t, bringing an end to an enterprising innings that lasted 66 balls and fetched 62 runs.
Sarfaraz was visibly distraught, as he took a moment to look back at Jadeja before walking off.
Jadeja then reached his hundred off the very next ball as India finished the first day on 326-5.
