“I’m just focusing on things under my control,” says Sarfaraz after 150 against New Zealand in 1st Test

Sarfaraz Khan bats on Day 4 of the first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 19, 2024 | Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Sarfaraz Khan took his chance and ran away with it. Selected in XI against New Zealand for the first Test in Bengaluru in place of the injured Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz faced the pressure to play.

Thursday’s duck was a thing of the past when he struck out in the second inning. In a knock that will be remembered for years to come, Sarfaraz put the opposition in panic mode with a brilliant 150. The question now becomes – how do we adjust to the Mumbaikar form in the XI when Gill is back in action?

Sarfaraz can solve this puzzle in the only way he knows how – by making mountains of runs on both the international and domestic circuit.

Asked how he stays motivated when he is out of the team, Sarfaraz said, “I just keep following the same process. I have been scoring for the past four to five years. I just focus on the things under my control and do well in practice.”

A comical sight

The 26-year-old was involved in a tangle with Rishabh Pant early in their partnership when Pant survived an easy chance to run out. Sarfaraz was seen jumping up and down animatedly to attract Pant’s attention and deny the second – quite a comical sight.

“Rishab was hit on the knee a few days ago. So there was a discussion that we need to have carefully. After playing a late cut, I claimed two (runs).

“But I soon found out that he had an injured knee and wouldn’t be able to run fast. So I immediately said ‘No’ and raised my hand after the first run, but Pant kept running towards me without looking at me,” said Sarfaraz.

Sarfaraz uses the late and upper cut to great effect – a shot he practices at his home in Mumbai.

“I like playing balls that go up high. I have a bouncy door at home. I play there regularly and the bounce easily allows me to cut the ball. They (Kiwis) were trying to throw me a short ball and I just played accordingly. It was fun,” said Sarfaraz.