Page 57 - Test Cricket

I just wanted to play international cricket in front of my father: Sarfaraz

All that Sarfaraz Khan wanted since the beginning of his cricket journey as a six-year-old was to become an international player in front of his father. Two decades later, that dream came true on Thursday for the Mumbaikar when he was handed his Test cap ahead of the third match against England by no less than former captain Anil Kumble with his father Naushad watching tearfully. As was expected, he proved his worth with a half century which could have been a bigger knock if not for the run out at non-striker's end following a mix up with unbeaten centurion Ravindra Jadeja. The 26-year-old was, however, too happy to have any complaints. "Coming to the ground for the first time and getting the cap in front of my father. I was six-years-old when he started my cricket (training). It was my dream to play for the Indian team in front of him," Sarfaraz told the media here after the end of day's play in which India were 326/5. India's Test cap No 311, Sarfaraz gave a fine account of hims

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Sarfaraz Khan showed a lot of courage - Collingwood

England assistant coach Paul Collingwood on Thursday heaped praise on debutant Sarfaraz Khan, whose aggressive 62 allowed India to score 326 for five on day one of the third Test. Collingwood said Sarfaraz showed a "lot of courage to play like that" after the right-handed batter smashed his fifty off 48 balls, the joint fastest by an Indian on debut. He came out and batted really well. We kept attacking fields to him. He likes to be a strokemaker and play his shots, Collingwood told the media after stumps here. I thought Ben (Stokes) wanted to keep attacking fields so we could create a chance. And fairplay to him (Sarfaraz), he had the courage to go over the top on a few occasions, Collingwood added. He sweeps really well and put the bowlers under pressure. On debut, it take as a lot of courage to come out and play like that. I guess from his point of view, it was a shame to get run out the way he did. You can see why he has got a pretty good first-class average he looks a decent

3rd Test: Suryakumar's message brought Sarfaraz Khan's father to Rajkot

If it wasn't for India batter Suryakumar Yadav, father of Sarfaraz Khan would not have been present to see his son get the coveted Test cap from Anil Kumble. Naushad Khan was in attendance along with Sarfaraz's wife on day one of the third Test between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. Tears rolled down Naushad's eyes as he witnessed his son get the India cap. Sarfaraz ended up making a strokeful 62 on debut. However, it took some convincing for Naushad to make up his mind with Suryakumar playing a vital role in it. Naushad revealed on the sidelines of the game that a message from Suryakumar convinced him to travel to Rajkot. Initially, I thought I wouldn't come as that would put Sarfaraz in some kind of pressure, and apart from that I also had a bit of a cold. But Surya's message almost made me melt, he said. Naushad read out the message from India's best T20 batter. "I do understand your emotions. But trust me, when I made my Test debut (last year in March agains

India vs England Rajkot Test: Jadeja apologises for Sarfaraz's run out

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Thursday apologised to Sarfaraz Khan for a "wrong call" that led to the debutant batter getting run out on day one of third Test against England. Sarfaraz (62 off 66) was going all guns blazing before Jadeja misjudged a call for a quick single, leading to a run out at the non-striker's end. Jadeja went on to score an unbeaten 110 off 212 balls as India reached 326 for five at stumps. "Feeling bad for @sarfarazkhan97. It was my wrong call, well played," Jadeja posted on his Instagram handle. A consistent performer on the domestic circuit, Sarfaraz had to wait years for his maiden India call-up, which came ahead of the Vizag Test. India's most successful Test bowler, Anil Kumble, presented the Test cap to Sarfaraz in an emotional ceremony witnessed by the latter's family.

Jurel in the Crown: Journey of Kargil war veteran's son Dhruv | Rajkot Test

The year was 2014. A small boy in his teens stood in front of Noida's most famous cricket coach Phool Chand's office room, and there was no parent accompanying him. "Before I could ask anything, the boy said, 'Sir my name is Dhruv Jurel and please take me in your academy', he requested," the coach, who saw a quiet confidence in the teenager, recalled. On Thursday, as Jurel became an Indian Test cricketer, Phool Chand vividly remembered every moment of that day. Memories came flooding back and he became emotional. "For a teacher, can there be a bigger day than seeing his student excel. He is the first among my students who will play Test cricket and second after pacer Shivam Mavi to play international cricket," Phool Chand, who runs his academy in Sector 71, Noida, told PTI. Back to that day, and he recollected some more things that struck him then. "I didn't see any parent accompanying him. I thought may be he is a local boy from Noida but then he said, 'Sir, I have come all alone

'Sun will rise in its own time..': Sarfaraz's father amid tears of joy

Sarfaraz Khan being ignored season after season despite making a mountain of runs in domestic cricket did shatter hopes of his devoted father but all of that disappointment made way for tears of joy on Thursday when his son made his Test debut. Naushad Khan, Sarfaraz's "proud" father and mentor, could not control his tears after the middle-order batter received his India cap from the great Anil Kumble. Speaking to BCCI.TV shortly after the special moment, Naushad said Sarfaraz's case proves that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. "Earlier when I used to put in a lot of hardwork (on Sarfaraz), I used to think that why my dream doesn't become a reality. But after getting the Test cap my thoughts have changed for all kids who are working. "Raat ko bakht do guzarne ke liye, suraj apni hi samay pe niklega (Give time for the night to end, sun will rise at its own time)," Naushad said. Naushad said advised his son is to work hard, have self-belief and be patient even when he

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Day 2 Highlights: Duckett ton keeps England ahead

India vs England Highlights, Rajkot Test Day 2: Ben Duckett scored a bucket full of runs as he remained unbeaten on 133 and England reached 207/2 to trail by 238 at the end of Day 2 of the third Test

WATCH: Rohit furious after Sarfaraz Khan's runout on Day 1 of Rajkot Test

The Indian skipper was standing in the dressing room as Jadeja was only one run short of the century, but the runout drew Rohit's ire, and he threw his cap away in disgust.

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Rohit Sharma hits 11th Test century in Rajkot

While getting to his hundred, Rohit also became second India with the most sixes in Test cricket. He overcame former India captain MS Dhoni's 78 sixes in Tests.

NZ vs SA 2nd Test: Chasing 267, New Zealand 40-1 at stumps on Day 3

David Bedingham made a maiden century Thursday to bat an under-rated South Africa lineup to a 266-run lead over New Zealand on the third day of the second cricket test. New Zealand lost Devon Conway with one ball left in the day's play and was 40-1 at stumps, still 226 behind with two full days remaining. Conway fell lbw to off-spinner Dane Piedt on the fifth ball of the 14th over, only seconds before the scheduled end. Tom Latham was 21 not out. While Bedingham was at the crease on the way to a career-best 110 and during a 98-run partnership with Keegan Peterson (43), a Proteas team which had been written off before its tour began was in control of the match, setting a difficult chase for New Zealand. South Africa is without most of its leading players who stayed at home to play in a domestic Twenty20 league. After losing the first of two tests by 281 runs, it looked in danger of becoming the first Proteas team to lose a test series against New Zealand. Bedingham has given South .

WATCH: Sarfaraz Khan gets emotional after getting debut cap | Rajkot Test

Sarfaraz is one of the few Indian players to have a First-Class average of more than 50 at the time of his Test debut

IND vs ENG: Mukesh Kumar released from India squad, to play Ranji Trophy

India released pacer Mukesh Kumar from the squad before the third Test against England here, allowing him to join Bengal for their Ranji Trophy game against Bihar on Friday. The right-armer, who played the second Test in Visakhapatnam, will join back the Indian squad for the fourth game, scheduled to be played in Ranchi from February 23. "Mr Mukesh Kumar has been released from the India squad for the third Test against England in Rajkot, the BCCI said in statement "He will join his Ranji Trophy team, Bengal, for the team's next fixture before linking up with Team India in Ranchi," it added. Mukesh, who was replaced by Mohammed Siraj in the playing XI for the thirst Test on Thursday, struggled in Visakhpatnam, with the England batters taking him to the cleaners. The 30-year-old bowled the least number of overs, registering figures of 0/44 in 7 overs in the first innings and 1/26 in 5 overs in the second essay. His sole wicket was that of England number 10 Shoaib Bashir. The ...

South Africa bowls out New Zealand for 211, leads by 31 in 2nd cricket test

Dane Piedt took a career-best 5-89 as South Africa bowled out New Zealand for 211 to take an unexpected first-innings lead Wednesday on the second day of the second cricket test. South Africa was bowled out for 242 after resuming Day 2 at 220-6 and New Zealand conceded a 31 run lead as bowlers dominated and 14 wickets fell in the day. New Zealand had been 183-9 and the deficit might have been greater but for a late innings of 33 by the redoubtable Neil Wagner. Piedt reached the high point of a checkered test career as he captured the wickets of Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Will Young and Glenn Phillips to highlight an excellent bowling performance by the Proteas. Dane Paterson took the wicket of Devon Conway (0) in the first over of the New Zealand innings and finished with 3-39. My test career has been ups and downs with injuries and I'm seriously proud of the way we fought today, Piedt said. We had a nice talk out in the middle, reflecting on the first test (which New Zealand won

IND vs ENG, Rajkot Test: Ben Stokes' journey to 100 Tests in numbers

32-year-old Ben Stokes is the only player alongside West Indien legend Gary Sobers and South Africa's Jacques Kallis to score more than 6000 Test runs and take more than 190 wickets

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Day 1 Highlights: Jadeja, Rohit hit 100s; India 326/5

India vs England 3rd Test Day 1 Highlights: Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja hit centuries while Sarfaraz Khan won hearts with his quickfire 62 as India dominated the English bowlers at Rajkot

IND-ENG 3rd Test Preview: India's inexperienced middle-order, a concern

India will need to be ruthless and tactful in equal measure while dealing with an unpredictable England when the third chapter of a riveting Test series begins here on Thursday. After England shocked India in the series opener at Hyderabad, the hosts came back strong in Vizag to get on level footing, leaving the five-match series perfectly poised. The brilliance of Yashasvi Jaiswal (321 runs) and Jasprit Bumrah (15) allowed India to make a comeback in the series but concerns remain over a misfiring middle-order, which will now be relying on the young talent to deliver the goods. Skipper Rohit Sharma's form with the bat before the eight-day break only added to the growing concern surrounding the Indian batting, which will be without K L Rahul in this game and Virat Kohli for the entirety of the series. Over the last one year or so, Rohit's aggressive approach with the bat has not yielded him big scores and the current situation demands the Indian skipper to perhaps contemplate ...

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Stokes opens up on his 100th Test landmark in Rajkot

England captain Ben Stokes tried hard to be self-effacing on the eve of his 100th Test appearance, saying "milestones are what they are" but he is looking forward to the "theatre" that would come with playing the marquee game against a star-studded India. Stokes will become the 16th England player to appear in 100 Tests when he will lead the side out in the third Test against India here on Thursday. In the pre-match press conference, the dashing big-hitter tried his best to downplay the hype around his achievement. "Milestones are what they are. I've always enjoyed playing against India because of the contest, the theatre it brings," he said in a brief reply when asked about his thoughts on the match. The series is currently locked 1-1 after England won the opener in Hyderabad before India bounced back to claim the second in Visakhapatnam. Stokes said his mind is focused on decoding the conditions and having a solid strategy in place for the crucial game. "You look down and there'

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Stokes lauds BCCI for great job on Rehan's visa issue

England skipper Ben Stokes on Wednesday expressed relief after young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed's visa issue was sorted in quick time due to the intervention of the Indian government and the BCCI. Ahmed, the spinner of Pakistani descent, had a single-entry visa upon arrival in Rajkot but he was able to complete his paperwork a day before the start of the third Test against India. "For any individual having to wait for that is always an anxious period, but thankfully, we got it through this morning, and great job from the guys at the airport for giving him his visa to get through initially, and everyone at the BCCI and the government to get the visa quickly," Stokes said ahead of the third Test. "We do not have to worry anymore about those issues, we were very confident that we would get the visa for Rehan before the game started," he added. Earlier, before the start of the series, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir also faced visa issue and arrived in Hyderabad on the third day of the first ..

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Rajkot pitch report, stats, win and loss records

Only two Tests have been played in Rajkot so far and India has won one and drawn another. They had to settle for a draw against England in 2016

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Jadeja feels England are not difficult to beat

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Wednesday said England are not a difficult side to beat and the hosts only need to get used to their ultra attacking style of play to secure the five-match Test series. England shocked India in the series opener in Hyderabad before the hosts came back strong in Visakhapatnam to get on level footing. The third Test begins here on Thursday. "I won't term England as (one of the most difficult) teams. It hasn't been easy for other teams to come to India and win. They have an aggressive style of play. We need to get used to that and plan accordingly for them," said Jadeja on the eve of the game. "If it wasn't for small mistakes in the second innings of first Test, we wouldn't have lost," said the player who missed the second Test due to a hamstring injury. On the injuries he has had to deal with of late, Jadeja said he can't hide himself on the field. It is frustrating but the cricket has increased these days and that is at the back of the mind alwa