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The third Test between India and England in Rajkot brought forth a rollercoaster of emotions for cricket fans. While the day witnessed stellar performances, including centuries from Indian captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, it also saw the emergence of debutant Sarfaraz Khan. However, Sarfaraz’s dream debut took an unexpected turn when an unfortunate mix-up with Jadeja led to his untimely run-out.
Sarfaraz Khan’s dream debut
February 15 marked a momentous day for Sarfaraz as he received his maiden cap from the legendary Anil Kumble. Surrounded by the tears of joy from his father and wife, Sarfaraz embraced the opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage. Despite having to wait half the day to bat, destiny seemed to favour him as he approached the crease with the ease and confidence of any domestic match.
The unfortunate mix-up
Sarfaraz’s innings unfolded impressively, and anticipation for a century built among eager fans. However, the turning point came when, batting on 99, Jadeja executed a drive to mid-on. A moment of miscommunication ensued, as Jadeja initially signalled for a single, then turned it down, leaving Sarfaraz with no chance of making it back as Mark Wood‘s throw found the stumps. Disheartened, Sarfaraz had to walk back to the pavilion after contributing a commendable 62 runs off 66 deliveries.
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Jadeja’s apology to Sarfaraz
After the day’s play, Jadeja took to Instagram to publicly apologize to Sarfaraz, taking full responsibility for the mix-up. It was a sweet gesture from the seasoned player, acknowledging the importance of communication and teamwork in the heat of the game.
Sarfaraz’s reaction to run-out and miscommunication with Jadeja
In the aftermath of the unfortunate run-out, Sarfaraz displayed maturity beyond his years. Reflecting on the incident, he acknowledged that miscommunications are part of the game. In a post-match statement, Sarfaraz also revealed how he had spoken to Jadeja during lunchtime, requesting him to communicate while playing, a strategy he finds beneficial. Despite the setback, Sarfaraz expressed gratitude for Jadeja’s support and encouragement during his innings.
“It is a part of the game. Miscommunication happens in cricket. Sometimes run-out happens, sometimes you get the runs. I spoke to Jadeja at lunch time and requested him to talk to me while playing. I like talking while playing. It was my first time. I told him that when I go out to bat, keep talking to me while playing. He kept talking and supported me a lot while I was batting,” Sarfaraz said after stumps.
