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Former India head coach Anil Kumble remarked that New Zealand should have planned better against the likes of Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, considering they have come across their playing styles during the Indian Premier League (IPL). The duo have been dominant on Day 4, building a mammoth partnership to turn the tables, and pose India as the favorites in the ongoing first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Sarfaraz was a last-minute inclusion in the playing XI after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a stiff neck. He was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, but made amends the second time around by recording his maiden Test ton. Pant, who came into bat on Day 4 after Kohli's dismissal off the last ball on the previous day has also made his mark.
Their contributions for the mammoth partnership for the fourth wicket has helped India erase the massive deficit and have begun building on a lead.
Franchise cricket has ensured that there are not many surprises for teams at the international level. However, despite Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan not being new names in the cricketing circuit, New Zealand bowlers looked clueless against the duo.
"Both these two batters are certainly in a league of their own because, in terms of their run-scoring, they hit the ball to different parts of the ground. This is where I thought New Zealand missed a trick. A few Kiwis have been part of the IPL for a long time—they understand Sarfaraz and know about Rishabh Pant. But maybe that knowledge wasn’t passed on to the bowlers," Kumble told Jio Cinema.
The current New Zealand side comprises several players who are part of the IPL. Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Tim Southee have all played in the competition, while Rishabh Pant has been playing since 2016.
Sarfaraz Khan has had an on-and-off IPL career, but has had stints with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC), and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) over the years.
"He kept punishing New Zealand every time they bowled slightly on off-stump" - Anil Kumble on Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan had a crucial role to play after Rohit Sharma's unfortunate dismissal in the 22nd over. The right-hander has then gone on to stitch together a partnership with Virat Kohli and now with Rishabh Pant to oversee India's rescue act, and make a massive statement at the same time.
"It seems like the other aspect of bowling is that, with the kind of innings Sarfaraz plays, you always feel like you’re in with a chance because he stays inside the line. You’re hoping that the odd ball will get him to nick it to the wicketkeeper or slips. But he kept punishing New Zealand every time they bowled slightly on off-stump or even just outside off," Kumble spoke of the centurion.
As of writing, India are placed at 388/3 after 78 overs, with Sarfaraz Khan batting on 138, while Rishabh Pant is inching towards another Test ton.
