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With his commanding double century for Mumbai in the ongoing Irani Cup, Sarfaraz Khan's legend as a domestic doyen is only becoming stronger. He will also need to keep the seasoned KL Rahul on his toes when the Indian team takes on Australia in a Test series starting next month. Mumbai's Sarfaraz (221 batting, 276 balls) became the team's first-ever batsman to register a double hundred for the Irani Cup, as the 42-time champions finished the second day with 536 for 9.
In the Irani Cup, Wasim Jaffer (Vidarbha), Ravi Shastri, Praveen Amre, and Yashasvi Jaiswal (all representing the Rest of India) were the only double centurions. Sarfaraz has had a difficult week because his younger brother Musheer, who was also expected to play, suffered a car accident that prevented him from playing competitive cricket for sixteen weeks. He appeared unfazed by the vehicle accident that claimed the lives of his brother and father, Naushad, as he dominated the Rest of India bowling attack with his bat.
Despite playing 160 dot balls, he was still able to strike at an 80% rate, mostly because of his 25 boundaries and four sixes. Sarfaraz, who was determined to punish both pacers and spinners equally, had the better of the second day as skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who fell short of his 40th first-class century with 97 off 234 balls. For the remaining eight games of the Test season, his 15th first-class century will undoubtedly remove any doubt about his position as a reserve middle-order hitter. Rahul, who regained his middle-order position from Sarfaraz, performed admirably in Kanpur, but the Karnataka batter and the team management are aware that the Mumbaikar, who is of stocky build, is putting pressure on him.
On the second day, there was subsurface moisture on the Ekana Stadium track. This dampness caused the ball to seam about at first, and the added bounce made it difficult for hitters to hit. He demonstrated regal driving on the off-side, and his footwork against spinners is flawless. He was particularly cruel to left-arm spinner Manav Suthar (0/137 in 37 overs), who appeared to have no idea what to do. He eventually used the negative leg-stump line, and Sarfaraz would slog sweep it for maximums by either bending down on one knee or slightly inside out.
He joined 183 for the seventh wicket with Tanush Kotian (64), severely demoralising the Rest of India bowling squad. He roared when he reached his double century, kissed the Lion's emblem on his shirt, and then made his finest shot of the day. His doubters who have questioned his ability on these kinds of tracks have been suitably silenced with a hooked six off Prasidh Krishna over deep fine leg and a ramp shot earlier in the day that took advantage of the extra pace and bounce.
Brief Scores: Mumbai 1st Innings 536/9 decl (Sarfaraz Khan 221 batting, Ajinkya Rahane 97, Mukesh Kumar 4/109, Yash Dayal 2/89, Prasidh Krishna 2/102) vs Rest of India.
