Sarfaraz Khan slammed his 15th first-class century during day two of the 2024 Irani Cup match between Mumbai and the Rest of India in Lucknow, before turning it into a double hundred later in the day.
Sarfaraz resumed the day unbeaten on his overnight score of 54, with Mumbai at 237-4. He reached his hundred off 149 balls early in the day, before converting it into a double century by the evening session, batting with tailenders.
The batter was in India’s squad for their two-match Test series against Bangladesh. He was named as a substitute during the Kanpur Test and carried drinks for his side.
This was Sarfaraz’s second hundred in the Irani Cup. His first came in the 2022 season when he struck a 138 against Saurashtra. Overall, it was his 15th first-class ton, and fourth double century. He also has a first-class triple hundred to his name.
Sarfaraz came in when Mumbai were at 139-4 and stitched a 131-run stand with captain Ajinkya Rahane, who fell shy of his century for a 234-ball 97. He then added 183 runs for the seventh wicket with Tanush Kotian before reaching his double hundred in the 127th over with Shardul Thakur by his side.
💯 turns into 2⃣0⃣0⃣ 👌
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) October 2, 2024
A sensational double century for Sarfaraz Khan✌️
He becomes the 1⃣st Mumbai player to score a double ton in #IraniCup 👏
The celebrations say it all 🎉#IraniCup | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/Er0EHGOZKh pic.twitter.com/225bDX7hhn
Sarfaraz’s hard graft in domestic cricket earned him his much-desired maiden India call-up during the Test series against England earlier this year. He had a delightful start to his career, striking three fifties in his first five innings, more impressively at a strike-rate of 79.6.
With KL Rahul and Virat Kohli back against Bangladesh, Sarfaraz would have always found it difficult to retain his place in the XI and his poor outing in the Duleep Trophy didn’t help his cause as well. With this century, he has reinstated his ambition of being a long-term middle-order batting option for India in whites.
At the time of writing, Mumbai are at 486-8, with Sarfaraz batting on 200 along with Thakur, who's on nine. For RoI, Mukesh Kumar has been the pick of the bowlers for his 4-100.
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