Sarfaraz Khan: Nick Knight, Irfan Pathan and Alastair Cook react to Indian batter's impressive debut

Sarfaraz Khan announced his arrival to the international stage in style, with a 66-ball knock of 62 on Day 1 of the third Test against England in Rajkot on Thursday. Sarfaraz was making his senior India debut on Thursday and it was an even memorable occasion for the 26-year-old cricketer who received his Test cap from the legendary Anil Kumble.

Sarfaraz would go onto forge a 77-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth wicket before being run-out at the non-strikers’ end.

Also read | Sarfaraz Khan First Impressions — Solid technique and brave batting

Former England cricketer Nick Knight termed Sarfaraz’s knock as “special” and said the youngster batted as though if it was just another Ranji Trophy match.

“I thought it was really special. I mean, when you get the chance to go up a level to play test match cricket, you might have played A team cricket. Your nerves are there. You had to sit and wait for four hours with his pads on to get his chance, albeit on a flat surface.”

“To go out there and play as if it is a Ranji Trophy game as if it is just another game which is actually what he’s done. It’s great credit to his character the way he looks about the game,” Knight said on JioCinema.

Also read | Naushad Khan on son Sarfaraz’s memorable international debut at Rajkot

“It’s also great credit to Ranji Trophy cricket, the player who’s done so well and been promoted from the domestic game to come in and play like this says a lot about the Ranji Trophy, but yeah,” he added.

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa hoped this was just the start of what’s to come in Sarfaraz’s career.

Irfan Pathan felt that Sarfaraz Khan’s fifty was a testament to the fact that rise to the top does not come without grinding it out in domestic cricket. “Keep grinding in domestic cricket, and your chance to shine for Team India will come. Sarfaraz Khan’s standout performance today is a testament to that. A well-deserved half-century! #INDvsENGTest,” wrote Irfan.

Alastair Cook, former England cricketer, was also impressed with Sarfaraz Khan’s knock. “I enjoyed Sarfraz’s batting,” said Cook on TNT Sports. “I was intrigued to see him because you don’t average 70 runs in first-class cricket without being a serious player or run-getter. You sometimes question some of the stats in the Ranji Trophy because they play on some really flat wickets – Jadeja has got a triple hundred there.

“But actually, this guy can bat. It was a real shame he was run out. I liked how positive he was and how late he played the ball to the spinners. It was very different to the modern way of going hard and using the front foot. He really manipulated the ball under his eyes, so I enjoyed that,” he added.

Parthiv Patel, former India wicketkeeper said the day belonged to Sarfaraz Khan despite centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.

“Without a doubt, it was India’s day, the way Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma batted, but the day will be in Sarfaraz Khan’s name. It was a very long wait. You got a chance to play Test cricket after scoring so many runs, and the way you batted,” Patel said on Colours Cineplex.

India were 326/5 at stumps with Ravindra Jadeja unbeaten on 110 and Kuldeep Yadav not out on 1. Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja set the platform with a 204-run stand for the fourth wicket following a shaky start in Rajkot where India were once down to 33/3.