Former England skipper Michael Vaughan feels Sarfaraz Khan looks like a perfect No.6 for the Indian team in Test matches. As India found themselves under the cosh at 33-3 in the third Test match at Rajkot, experienced Ravindra Jadeja was promoted to number five whereas Khan batted at number six in his debut innings.
Khan scored a fine knock of 62 runs in his maiden Test innings against England at Rajkot but he was sold down the river by Ravindra Jadeja.
Furthermore, Khan scored an unbeaten knock of 68 runs off 72 balls in the second innings. Khan added 172 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a fine knock of 214 runs. Vaughan reckons quick runs from Sarfaraz Khan helped Rohit Sharma declare at 430-4.
Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz, “The way he came out and batted with Jaiswal allowed Rohit Sharma to declare sooner with more runs on the board as well. I don’t think it would have been in Rohit’s equation to have so many runs in front mid-way through the day.”
“I think he would have been thinking if we get 500, 20 minutes before tea, that would be great. But because of that partnership,” said Vaughan.
Meanwhile, Khan was able to break into India’s Test squad after consistent performances in the domestic circuit. He has been averaging around 70 and deserved his place in the final XI at the top level.
Moreover, Khan became the fourth Indian batter to score twin fifties on debut. Khan joined the elite list of Dilawar Hussain, Sunil Gavaskar, and Shreyas Iyer.
“I said after the first day, he looks like the perfect No.6. He is aggressive, plays spin brilliantly, rotates the strike. So even the good balls are going for ones and twos. And he’s hungry for runs. He has got huge amount of runs in first-class cricket. When you have done that throughout your career, and you get that opportunity to play for India in Test match-level. He has taken that chance well,” said Vaughan.
India and England will next take on each other at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi in the fourth Test match from Friday.
