Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that Sarfaraz Khan could be the ideal candidate for the No. 6 position in the Indian cricket team after his stunning debut in the third Test between India and England in Rajkot.
After a long wait, Sarfaraz was finally given the opportunity to represent India at the highest level, and he did justice to the team’s call by playing a significant role in the hosts’ commanding 434-run victory over England in the third Test in Rajkot.
With this massive win, Team India took a 2-1 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series against England.
The 26-year-old batter showcased his aggressive style of play, stitching a remarkable partnership of unbeaten 172- runs for the fifth wicket in just 158 balls with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second innings in Rajkot.
Michael Vaughan feels that their aggressive partnership allowed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to declare the innings earlier than expected, with a more substantial total of 430/4d on the board.
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Michael Vaughan was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “The way he came out and batted with Jaiswal allowed Rohit Sharma to declare sooner with more runs on the board as well.”
The commentator continued, “I don't think it would have been in Rohit's equation to have so many runs in front mid-way through the day. I think he would have been thinking if we get 500, 20 minutes before tea, that would be great. But because of that partnership.”
Vaughan further stressed that Sarfaraz has all the qualities to become a successful No.6 batter for India. The former England skipper said that the Mumbai batter has the hunger for scoring runs and he made the most of his opportunity against England in the Rajkot Test.
He signed off by saying, “I said after the first day, he looks like the perfect No.6. He is aggressive, plays spin brilliantly, rotates the strike. So even the good balls are going for ones and twos. And he's hungry for runs. He has got a huge amount of runs in first-class cricket. When you have done that throughout your career, and you get that opportunity to play for India at Test match-level. He has taken that chance well.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
