The Mumbai batsman first helped his team carve out a lead on day one, then formed a 167-run partnership with Tanoush Kotian to extend the lead to 337 runs.
Sarfaraz Khan has some idea of what it takes to perform under pressure. In recent years, the 25-year-old has been Mumbai’s running machine in Ranji his trophy and it was no exception when Class 162 pulled Mumbai out of the woods in his Nadu match against Tamil on Wednesday.
The day before Tong, Mumbai struggled after losing their top three batsmen and were in trouble when Tamil Nadu Bowling pitched with a short ball.
However, Sarfaraz Mumbai fought back admirably to build a lead of 337 runs. It was indeed a difficult task, but Sarfaraz used their home advantage and forged a 167-run partnership with Tanoush Kotian at the seventh wicket.
“They tried to trap us with bouncers, but we knew we had to be patient. Thoda time lagega toh chalega, but chhodunga nahin No),” Sarfaraz said after the second verse.
Overnight he recorded a score of 183/6 before Sarfaraz and Kotian pursued his ball approach and relieved the pressure in the first session. The Mumbai batsman took full advantage of Tamil Nadu’s masterful decision to introduce Aswin his Cristo in the 11th round and settled comfortably. “We knew there could be a bit of a shake in the morning, so they had an aggressive approach.So the idea was to time it well. We looked excited to take that early wicket, but we kept the run going,” said Sarfaraz.
On the first day he had concerns over wickets after 16 of his wickets fell, but the Tamil Nadu bowlers struggled to find a breakthrough as Mumbai’s lower rankings showed steel. “The Aswinds were a little slow, but the wicket was much better today,” he said. It was a typical CCI wicket and did well at bat…”
Mumbai had a tough time extending his narrow 39-point lead, but he accepted the fact that even Sarfaras didn’t expect the lead to exceed his 300 points. “I knew I could hit the tanoush and it wouldn’t be too hard to get through the turnstiles. The idea was to start with the lower order and continue with the next. That plan worked,” he said. “My first goal was to get his 50, and I got it on his second pitch of the day. From there, I got into shape and the run flowed. Of course, at the time I didn’t think I could make such a big difference…”
Despite being a regular performer, Sarfaraz missed calls in India. However, he was unable to repeat his Ranji Trophy success for the Indian senior team, hitting only 205 runs in seven innings in two 50s.
However, Sarfaraz are looking to play ‘Lamba’s innings’ and be patient. “Jab naseeb mein rahega, main khelunga (If I am destined, I will play for India),” he said of his trip to the Indian team. “A lot of people expected me to be part of the India team for the Bangladesh Tour, but my Abu [his coach and father Naushad Khan] said he needed to focus on his game. And I’m away from my family and friends so that the noise outside doesn’t bother me…”
It was the ninth time in Mumbai when the Surfers scored their 12th first-class 100. His father Naushad watched his innings from the club’s lawn. The youngster leapt into the air and scored three digits before swinging his racket towards Mumbai’s changing room, his father nodding his head and he sitting quietly as the Sarfaraz continued their innings. was
That’s the mantra his coach instilled in him – ‘Don’t rush, be patient’!