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Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar praised Sarfaraz Khan for his outstanding batting on Day 3 (October 18) of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. With New Zealand ahead by a massive 356 runs after the first innings, Team India were under immense pressure to respond in their second essay with the bat.
While they started with an opening partnership of 72 between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, the duo fell in quick succession to leave India in a spot of bother at 95/2 when Sarfaraz walked out to bat.
Yet, the 26-year-old showed no signs of nerves, smashing the New Zealand pacers and spinners at will to finish the day unbeaten on 70 from 78 deliveries. Sarfaraz's knock included seven boundaries and three maximums, propelling India's comeback as they finished on 231/3 at stumps.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo after the day's play, Manjrekar likened Sarfaraz Khan's batting to Pakistan legend Javed Miandad.
"He (Sarfaraz) reminds me of a Javed Miandad of the 1980s but this is a 2024 version of a Javed Miandad. Really impressed with the way he played. We know he plays spin well but I liked the way he played fast bowlers," he said.
Manjrekar added:
"And towards the end of the day's play when he was looking to play defensively and wanting bad light when there was actually bright light. I loved the way he was ducking to bouncers, just trying to play the day out so he has that game as well and that augurs well for India and Sarfaraz Khan for Australia because he has shown that element of batting as well."
Sarfaraz Khan replaced the injured Shubman Gill in India's playing XI and was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the first innings.
The Mumbai batter made an impressive start to his Test career in the England series earlier in the year, scoring 200 runs at an average of 50 in three matches. Yet, with the return of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz had to warm the benches during the two-Test series against Bangladesh before the New Zealand series.
Team India fight their way back into the 1st New Zealand behind Sarfaraz Khan's heroics
Day 1 of the first India-New Zealand in Bengaluru was washed out entirely due to rain and the hosts endured a forgettable second day once the game got underway.
Rohit Sharma's men were bowled out for the lowest-ever total in a Test match in India, finishing on 46 in their first innings. In response, New Zealand piled on the misery by ending Day 2 at 180/3 in 50 overs.
India's torment continued in the first half of Day 3 as the visitors posted 402 in their first innings on the back of a sensational 134 from Rachin Ravindra.
Facing an embarrassing innings defeat at home, the Indian batters responded with the bat to finish the day on 231/3. Apart from Sarfaraz Khan's 70*, the hosts also received valuable half-centuries from their senior pros - Rohit Sharma (52) and Virat Kohli (70).
Despite the fightback, India still trail by 125 runs with seven wickets in hand, heading into the penultimate day.
