"The 'V' is behind" - Ajay Jadeja on Sarfaraz Khan's unique scoring areas on Day 3 of IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test

Ajay Jadeja has noted that Sarfaraz Khan has unique scoring areas, with his 'V' being behind the wickets. The former India captain also lauded the Mumbai player's proficiency against spin bowling.

Sarfaraz scored an unbeaten 70 off 78 deliveries as India ended Day 3 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Friday, October 18, at 231/3 in their second innings. New Zealand posted 402 runs in their first innings earlier in the day and still have a lead of 125 runs.

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Jadeja was asked about his thoughts on Sarfaraz scoring the majority of his runs behind the wickets.

"He is a different kind of player and it is a different era, and the approach has been like that. Fielders are not even put at third man many times. In domestic cricket, they have understood his game but in international cricket, in the entire innings today, a fielder was placed there only in the end," he responded.

"He is a master against spin. He has grown up while playing spin. He plays with the spinners. He generally uses the pace and the wagon wheel is evidence of that. His sixes go to midwicket, and the 'V' is behind. He colored the areas that didn't used to be colored earlier and left the areas that used to be colored," Jadeja added.

Sarfaraz Khan has struck seven fours and three sixes during his innings. He has scored 44 of his 70 runs behind square, 26 on the off side and 18 on the leg side.

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"There are different ways to reach a mountain top" - Aakash Chopra on Sarfaraz Khan's playing style

In the same discussion, Aakash Chopra pointed out that Sarfaraz Khan has figured out his methods to score runs.

"You generally see a wagon wheel square when the pitch is a rank turner. However, his playing style is like that. You have to find a way for yourself to score runs. There are different ways to reach a mountain top. Everyone has to reach there and he has found his way," he said.

The former opener added that the 26-year-old's Test success proves the robustness of India's domestic cricket.

"This player doing well is a validation that Indian domestic cricket is very robust. It is sending players after preparing them. Ajaz Patel took 10 wickets in Mumbai but it didn't matter to him. It was in his mind that he could play bowlers like Ajaz. He didn't have any tension," Chopra observed.

Chopra noted that Sarfaraz would have been under pressure when he walked out to bat as Shubman Gill, who he replaced in the XI, will likely be fit for the next Test. However, he added that the youngster didn't seem to be under pressure considering how he played.