Sarfaraz Khan equals Hardik Pandya's iconic Test record after 'Bazball style' fifty on debut

Indian batsman Sarfaraz Khan finally earned the reward for his magnificent performance in domestic cricket and made his debut for the Indian team. Sarfaraz was included in India’s playing XI for the third IND vs ENG Test match which is being played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Sarfaraz stood up to the occasions of the Indian management and slammed a half-century on his Test debut.

Sarfaraz Khan played an innings of 62 runs from 66 balls and smashed a total of 9 fours and 1 six during his stay at the crease. Sarfaraz equaled the record of fastest half-century by an Indian batsman and achieved the mark in 48 balls. Sarfaraz equaled Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s record, and both players now jointly hold the record. Pandya scored a 48-ball half-century against Sri Lanka in 2017.

Sarfaraz Khan equals Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s record on Test debut

Fastest fifties on men’s Test debut for an Indian player:
Yuvraj of Patiala vs ENG, 1934 – 42
Hardik Pandya vs SL, 2017 – 48
Sarfaraz Khan vs ENG, 2024 – 48
Shikhar Dhawan vs AUS, 2013 – 50
Prithvi Shaw vs WI, 2018 – 56

Sarfaraz Khan played aggressively from the start of the innings and gave a much-needed boost to the Indian team. However, he could have converted his half-century into a hundred, though, he fell due to a disastrous run out courtesy of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

While facing James Anderson, Ravindra Jadeja played his shot and called for a single. However, after walking two steps, Jadeja denied for the run, though, it was too late for Sarfaraz Khan. Sarfaraz didn’t have the time to turn back and return to the crease as fielder Mark Wood hit a bullseye from mid-off. At last, the right-handed batter had to walk back to the dressing. Indian captain Rohit Sharma was also livid with the run-out and threw his cap in the dressing room.

In 86 overs, India managed to conclude Day 1 of the third Test match with a score of 326/5. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav had scores of 110 and 1 run, respectively.

The hosts had a difficult start to Day 1, losing their first three wickets for a total of 33 runs. After scoring 209 and 104 runs, respectively, in the second Test match, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were bowled cheaply for 10 and 0. After scoring nine runs, Rajat Patidar walked back since he was likewise unable to do much.

Following the early damage, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Indian captain Rohit Sharma rose to the occasion and quickly put up 204 runs from 329 balls for the fourth wicket. With 14 fours and three sixes in 131 runs off 196 balls, Rohit hammered his 12th century in Test matches. However, Jadeja also achieved the three-figure threshold and hit his fourth century in Test matches. At the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, this was Jadeja’s second century.

The Indian team will want to stretch their overnight score to a massive first innings total on Day 2. The Indian team would seek to sustain its winning momentum in the third Test match as well wherein they will also focus on grabbing a lead in the five-match series. England have performed far better than the cricket experts had anticipated going into the series, and the series is currently leveled at 1-1.