IND vs ENG: Sarfaraz Khan Hits Fifties in Both Innings on Test Debut, Joins Sunil Gavaskar and Shreyas Iyer in Exclusive List

Sarfaraz Khan became the fourth Indian to score back-to-back half-centuries in both innings in his debut Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, now known as Niranjan Shah Stadium, in Rajkot on Sunday.

The Mumbai batter scored an unbeaten 68 to add to his score of 62 in the first innings of the 3rd Test of the five-match series.

IND vs ENG, 3rd Test Day 4 – LIVE

Upon his first start, Sarfaraz’s blistering intent was on display for all, as the Mumbai-born batter entertained all those in attendance with a splendid display of sweeps and slogs as he took on the English bowlers in trademark Sarfaraz style to notch up his innings of 62 runs peppered with 9 fours and a six.

But, an unfortunate call from to-be-centurion Ravindra Jadeja who was in his nervous nineties led to the dismissal of Sarfaraz, who sacrificed his wicket vis run-out to keep the spinner’s innings alive.

But, it would not take much time for Sarfaraz to dazzle yet again as he came out after the fall of the fourth wicket in the second innings and once again, alongside double-centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal, ran riot in yet another quickfire innings of 68*, to score his second consecutive fifty of the match and his career.

Fifties in Each Innings by an Indian on Test Debut

Sarfaraz piled on the misery on England and along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who come from the same school in Mumbai, produced plenty of fireworks in their entertaining 172-run partnership for the fifth wicket in just 26.2 overs.

Jaiswal, who had to retire hurt on 104 on day three due to back cramps, smashed an unbeaten with a career-best score of 214 off 236 balls. He hit 14 fours and 12 sixes and levelled with Wasim Akram for the world record for most sixes in a Test innings. Jaiswal is also the first Test player to hit 20 sixes in a series.

Jaiswal is also the third-youngest player to smash two double-centuries in Tests, behind Vinod Kambli and Don Bradman.

India set England a mammoth 557 runs to win the third Test after declaring their second innings at 430/4 in 98 overs.

(With inputs from Agencies)