Sarfaraz Khan has finally reached a milestone that he and his father, Naushad Khan, have dreamed of for years. Tim Southee delivered the ball, and with a forward push wide of cover, Sarfaraz timed it perfectly for a boundary. That shot secured his maiden Test hundred during the India vs New Zealand 1st Test at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. His father, Naushad, who played a key role in shaping Sarfaraz’s career, must be the proudest man today.
This innings is particularly special, given the immense pressure Sarfaraz was under. India was playing catch-up from a precarious position, and Sarfaraz’s temperament and focus were on full display as he anchored the innings. His century is a testament to his grit, especially after a series of rejections and setbacks throughout his career.
The Journey of Struggles and Rejection
Sarfaraz’s journey to this maiden century wasn’t easy. Despite being one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket, he faced multiple rejections from the Indian team selectors. His performances in the Ranji Trophy were nothing short of extraordinary, yet, time and again, he was overlooked for a spot in the national side. Sarfaraz kept grinding, scoring heavily in domestic cricket, all the while holding onto the dream of representing India on the biggest stage.
It was during Gautam Gambhir’s era of influence that Sarfaraz finally earned his much-awaited call-up to the Test side. After years of toil, his comeback materialized in this series, and what a way to stamp his return—scoring a hundred under immense pressure.
A Rare Feat for Indian Batters
Interestingly, Sarfaraz’s feat in this Test joins a unique list. His hundred in this match follows a duck in the first innings, making it the 22nd instance of an Indian batter registering a duck and a century in the same Test. The most recent player to achieve this was Shubman Gill against Bangladesh in Chennai last month. Sarfaraz also became the second Indian to do this against New Zealand, with the first being Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 0 and 115 in Auckland back in 2014.
This century is not just a personal milestone for Sarfaraz but a defining moment in his career—a reward for years of perseverance, resilience, and determination. It’s also a shining example of how talent, when combined with patience, can ultimately find its way to the top.
