IND v NZ 2024: “It was my dream to play for India and score 100,” Sarfaraz Khan relishes his heroics in Bengaluru Test

Sarfaraz slammed his maiden Test ton on Day 4 of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand.

By Salman Anjum - 20 Oct, 2024

Sarfaraz Khan was over the moon after smashing his maiden Test century against New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday (October 19).

The young batter, who was featuring in only his fourth Test match since making his debut earlier this year, described the achievement as a "dream come true."

Notably, Sarfaraz bagged a three-ball duck in the first innings, where the hosts were bowled out for a historic low of 46, but he bounced back in the second dig.

With an impressive knock of 150, the right-hander led India's fightback in the Test match after the Kiwis took a massive lead of 356 runs.

Sarfaraz stitched a significant 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli (70) and followed it with an explosive 177-run stand with Rishabh Pant (99), propelling the hosts to 462 in the second essay.

"Since I started playing cricket, it was my dream to play for India and score a 100 for India. I am happy," Sarfaraz told reporters after the fourth day's play.

The 26-year-old employed late cuts and guided the ball behind the wicket to counter the Kiwi pacers. However, once he and Pant were dismissed, the visitors ran through the Indian line-up.

"I like playing the balls that rise high. I have a bouncy wicket back at home, and I play regularly there," the Mumbai batter said.

"The bounce easily allows me to cut it. They (opposition quicks) were trying to ball short at me, and I simply played accordingly. It was fun."

Sarfaraz was picked in the playing XI for the first match of the three-Test series after Shubman Gill was sidelined due to a stiff neck.

"I simply focus on the things under my control, do well in the practise and try to overcome the shortcomings," said Sarfaraz. "Also, I talk to my father quite often since he keeps me motivated all the time."

"I always keep this in mind that tomorrow is uncertain. It's happened in the past that while thinking about tomorrow, my present was hampered. So, I try to stay in the present," he stated.

Sarfaraz Khan suggested that the Kiwis might find it challenging to chase the modest target of 107 runs on Day 5, especially if India can claim early wickets as the pitch begins to deteriorate.

"It is not an easy wicket to bat on. I don't think the game is out of our hands yet. The ball is still cutting in and out. So, if we manage to get two to three wickets of theirs (NZ's) early on, even they could be in a similar situation (collapse)," he remarked.

(With TOI Inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 20 Oct, 2024

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