Emotional scenes unfolded at Rajkot's Niranjan Shah Stadium before the start of the third Test between India vs England third Test when Right-handed batter Sarfaraz Khan received his Test cap legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble.
As Kumble presented Sarfaraz with his Test cap at Rajkot, his father-cum-coach Naushad Khan was left emotional on seeing the scenes unfolding in front of his eyes. Visuals then showed Sarfaraz running with his Test cap across the boundary rope to show it to his father and wife, who watched the proceedings from the sidelines.
Sporting a ‘cricket is everyone’s game’ written on the back of the jacket, a visibly teary-eyed and proud Naushad hugged him with joy and kissed the Indian badge on the Test cap, even as Sarfaraz was wiping off the tears from his wife’s eyes.
Sarfaraz Khan of India hugs his wife after receiving his debut Test cap during the first day of the 3rd Test match between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Rajkot on 15 February 2024
(Photo: BCCI)
Sarfaraz Khan been a prolific run-scorer in the last few years in domestic cricket for Mumbai and of late, got the big runs for India ‘A’ in their series against England Lions.
Despite scoring a truck-load of runs, a Test debut eluded Sarfaraz on multiple occasions in the past. He got his maiden call-up to the Indian team when he was named in the squad for the second Test in Visakhapatnam after KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were ruled out due to injuries, but Rajat Patidar made his debut.
With Shreyas Iyer not included in the squad for the remaining three Tests and Rahul still recovering from a quadriceps injury, many tipped for Sarfaraz to make his debut. On Thursday, the dream came true for Sarfaraz as he was presented with his Test cap to become the 311th Test cricketer for India ahead of the start of third Test against England.
Sarfaraz Khan of India with his maiden test cap during the first day of the 3rd Test match between India and England held at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on the 15 February 2024.
(Photo: BCCI)
“Really proud of you, the way you have come through. I am sure your dad and family are extremely proud of what you have achieved. I know you have done all the hard work. There were some disappointments but despite that all the runs that you've scored through the domestic season have brought you here.”
“Well done to you. I'm sure you will have lots of wonderful memories to make. It's a start of a long career, only 310 people have played before you. All the best,” said Kumble to Sarfaraz in the speech before presenting him the Test cap.
In 45 first-class matches, Sarfaraz has made 3,912 runs at an astonishing average of 69.85, including 14 hundreds and 11 fifties. Last month, he made scores of 96, 4, 55 and 161 in the practice match and four-day games against England Lions at Ahmedabad.
During the first session’s play, Naushad was in the Hindi commentary box and was asked by Aakash Chopra if the wait for Sarfaraz’s first Test match was too long. He replied, “Raat ko waqt chahiye guzarne ke liye, Sooraj meri marzi se nahi nikalne waala (it takes time for the night to pass, the sun is not going to rise according to my wish).”
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)