The absence of Virat Kohli and key players KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja getting injured opened the doors for Sarfaraz Khan. After Shreyas Iyer did not find a place in the squad for the last three Tests and Rahul was not cleared to play, Sarfaraz made his Test debut and proved why he deserved a chance with twin fifties. After letting the bat do the talking, Sarfaraz was comical in his approach at the short leg position. His remarks which were heard on stump mic were shared on social media. Some even compared his sense of humour to skipper Rohit Sharma. Speaking at India Today Conclave, Sarfaraz revealed that he offered his bat to Shoaib Bashir if he got out.
‘My job was to help my side get his wicket quickly. I offered him my bat. He said that 'your bat is bad' to which I replied take Dhruv's bat then, but just get out,” Sarfaraz said as he revealed his banter with the young England off-spinner.
When Bashir walked out to the middle to bat, Sarfaraz checked whether he understands Hindi or not by saying ‘Isko Hindi nahi aati (He doesn’t understand Hindi)’. Bashir replied, “Thodi-thodi aati hai (I know a bit)”.
Sarfaraz then said "Maar yaar jaldi, snow pe chalte hain upar, ghumke aayenge, chal! (Hit it quickly and finish the game, we will go up on the snow for a walk)."
The 20-year-old English batter of Pakistan-origin could score 13 runs from 29 deliveries. He got bowled by Jadeja. England were bowled out for 195 and lost the match by an innings and 64 runs on Day 3.
Sarfaraz thanks Gavaskar
During the conclave, Sarfaraz thanked legendary Sunil Gavaskar for supporting him after questions were raised over his fitness.
"I had seen the video on social media. I want to say thank you to Gavaskar sir and India Today, who have helped and supported me," the 26-year-old said.
What Gavaskar said
"At the end of the day, if you are unfit, you are not going to score hundreds. So cricket fitness is most important. I don't have a problem with you wanting to do the Yo-Yo test or whatever it is, but the Yo-Yo test cannot be the only criterion. You got to make sure that the man is fit for cricket as well. And if the person, whoever it is, is fit for cricket, then I don't think it should really matter," Sunil Gavaskar told India Today.
"He is not staying off the field when he is scoring hundreds, he is back on the field again. All that tells you that the man is fit for cricket. If you are looking for only slim and trim guys, then you might as well go to a fashion show and pick some models and then give them a bat and ball in their hand and then include them. You have cricketers in all shapes and sizes. Don't go by the size, but go by the runs and the wickets," Gavaskar added.
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