Former Indian captain Anil Kumble cheekily said he passed on bad luck of his debut run-out to Sarfaraz Khan. After scoring an exciting knock of 62 runs, Khan was dismissed via a run-out as he was involved in a horrible mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja.
The Indian all-rounder called Khan for a single but sold him down the river as he sent him back. Mark Wood was able to hit the bullseye and it was the end of Khan’s debut innings.
Meanwhile, Anil Kumble handed the 311th Indian Test cap to Sarfaraz Khan and shared some words of wisdom. Coincidently, Anil Kumble was also run out in his debut match against England at Old Trafford in 1990.
“Sarfaraz was dominating the partnership but Jadeja, I thought, got into a shell and that sometimes creates a mindset where you are not clear about the decision-making. Maybe, that was one of the reasons and possibility I passed on my bad luck of my debut run-out to Sarfaraz!,” said Kumble on JioCinema.
On the other hand, Khan looked at home in his debut innings and played England bowlers with aplomb, especially spinners. Kumble added it never looked like that it was Khan’s maiden Test innings.
“It never looked like it was his (Sarfaraz’s) first Test innings. We all know about the talent he has and we have seen him dominate spin at the domestic level. But at the Test level, you need a completely different mindset and to have that approach and play that free-flowing innings was brilliant,” said Kumble.
“He was certainly tested by Mark Wood, but coming in and dominating the spinners was outstanding. And the way he batted – more than a run a ball with the kind of shot selection, he was very assured in his approach. After he took the bowlers on, the next ball was played on the backfoot just to maneuver that single and get off strike. Brilliant batting from Sarfaraz,” he added.
India is currently 434-9 with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj at the crease.