Sarfaraz Khan fulfils father’s life-long dream of playing for India

After putting on a show of batting on Day 1 of the third Test against England, Sarfaraz spoke about receiving the India Test cap in front of family.

“It was very nice. I came to the ground for the first time, I got the (India) cap, and my father was also there. I was 6 years old when he helped me start playing cricket. So it was just a dream that while he is alive, I want him to see me playing for the Indian team. It was my dream for him, so I liked it a lot.” Sarfaraz said while talking to the media in the post-match press conference.

“My father was not coming to the match first. After that, some people told him to go as this was a proud moment. So obviously, he had to come because he had worked so hard for this day. And he was also very emotional. My wife was also very emotional. It felt like I lost some weight from over my head. What he had worked on me for so many years, I didn't let it get spoiled.”

Sarfaraz and his father’s hard work came to fruition when he smashed a stylish 62 of 66 balls while coming in at number six, and looked on course to hit a big score. However, miscommunication with Ravindra Jadeja in the middle cut short his innings as he was run out by Mark Wood at the non-striker's end.

“There was a little miscommunication. This is part of the game. Sometimes there is a run-out, sometimes there is a run, and sometimes there is not. So all this goes on.”

“He (Jadeja) said that there was a little miscommunication. And I said that it is okay. It happens. There is nothing big in it.”

As India opted to bat first, Sarfaraz was padded up from ball one, ready to go as the hosts lost three wickets within the first hour of play. But Sarfaraz was made to wait as Rohit Sharma and Jadeja combined to stitch an important fourth-wicket partnership of 204 runs.

“I had been sitting for almost 4 hours padded up. So I was just thinking that I have kept so much patience in life, I'll keep a little more. Then after that, I went inside, initially, I was a little nervous because it was my first time, but I had practised and put in so much hard work that everything went well.”

“I felt a little strange in the first couple of overs. Because I was coming for the first time. And for so long, it was a dream to play. But later it felt like I had done this thing. When I went into the zone, I didn't feel so difficult after that,” he added.

India finished the opening day at 326/5 with Jadeja (110**)* and Kuldeep Yadav (1*) on the crease.