Sports News | Chris Gayle Lauds Sarfaraz Khan for Half-century on International Debut Against England
Get latest articles and stories on Sports at LatestLY. Notably, Gayle and Sarfaraz have played together for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Between 2015-18, Sarfaraz played 25 matches for RCB, scoring 228 runs in 18 innings coming down as a lower-order-batter.
New Delhi [India], February 15 (ANI): Explosive West Indies legend Chris Gayle on Thursday congratulated Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan for scoring a half-century on his much-anticipated international debut against England in the second Test at Rajkot.
Sarfaraz finally made his much-anticipated international debut, entertaining the spectators with his knock of 62 in 66 balls, with nine fours and a six. His runs came at a strike rate of 93.33.
Taking to Instagram, Gayle posted a picture of him watching Sarfaraz in action, applauding the young batter for his knock using a "clapping" emoji.
Notably, Gayle and Sarfaraz have played together for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Between 2015-18, Sarfaraz played 25 matches for RCB, scoring 228 runs in 18 innings coming down as a lower-order-batter.
Sarfaraz's surge to the international level was much anticipated by fans, who have kept an eye on his domestic cricket form. He has been thriving in first-class cricket, most notably the Ranji Trophy, where he top-scored in 2021-22 with 982 runs in six matches, placed fifth in the 2019-20 season with 928 runs in six matches, scoring well in the 2022-23 season as well with 556 runs in six matches.
In the unofficial Test series of three matches against England Lions that earlier happened side-by-side with the series between senior sides, Sarfaraz did well for India A, scoring 96 in a Tour match then 4, 55 and 161 in two unofficial Tests.
In 45 first-class matches before his international debut, Sarfaraz scored 3,912 runs at an average of 69.85, with 14 centuries and 11 fifties, with the best score being 301*.
Coming to the match, India opted to bat first after winning the toss and ended the first day at 326/5, with Ravindra Jadeja (110* in 212 balls, with nine fours and two sixes) and Kuldeep Yadav (1*) unbeaten.
Earlier, India was in trouble at 33/3. But centuries from Indian skipper Rohit Sharma (131 in 196 balls, with 14 fours and three sixes) and Jadeja took India out of trouble. Sarfaraz's half-century also helped India go beyond the 300-run mark.
Pacer Mark Wood (3/69) was the pick of the bowlers for England. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)