India versus England: Like Vinod Kambli, Sarfaraz Khan has become an instant crowd favourite | Cricket News

Perhaps it’s his relationship with his shayari-loving emotional father that has done rounds in the media, his stocky built and girth, the boyish adolescence which still hasn’t left him when he speaks, his years of waiting while silently performing in domestic cricket, the rags-to-riches story and above all, the way he bats aggressively, Sarfaraz Khan is a box-office hit in Rajkot stadium.
When he walked down the stairs to bat in the second innings, the fans, who were roasting under the hot sun with paper shields, erupted into raucous cheers and many even stood up. For a batsman, playing just his second international innings, it was startling. Another from somewhat similar background and was much loved in his initial days of international cricket was Vinod Kambli. Sarfaraz seems to trigger similar feelings, at least in Rajkot.
Unsure if he realised the welcome, once he got on to the park, he started to stride briskly towards the centre and the ovation kept growing. The square-leg umpire cast a look at the stands behind him, turned and looked at the advancing figure.
Last evening, another batsman, new to Test cricket, stood dazed at yet another bizarre dismissal. Rajat Patidar has somehow managed to look comfortable at the crease until the ball he gets out – either through a soft dismissal, bowled after defending with the ball rolling on to the stumps with him being a mute witness or dragging long-hops to cover or midwicket as was the case here in the second innings.

His too is a tale of perseverance in domestic cricket with an unlikely window opening up due to injuries to KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. But such has been the roll of dice for him that he hasn’t quite been able to soak in and enjoy the experience of being a Test batsman. As yet. With Rahul likely to return for the next Test, who knows if this Rajkot proves to be his last international outing for a while at least, if not ever. No wonder former players talk about the role of luck in sporting careers.
India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan during the 4th day of the 3rd cricket Test match between India and England, at Niranjan Shah Stadium, in Rajkot. (PTI)
He had got a chance to bat with around 20-25 minutes to stumps when Jaiswal had to retire hurt due to a lower-back spasm. Jaiswal had first threatened to leave the field a over before and even began to walk towards the dressing room when he changed his mind. Patidar might have been ready then but had to linger on for a few more minutes before it was his time to go down to bat. And when he was dismissed, he stood there dazed even as the ball looped up to midwicket and stayed frozen for a while in disbelief. He turned to trudge back, and at the non-striker’s end Shubman Gill stood, hands on his hip. It was all too bizarre.
Sarfaraz and Jaiswal moments
What wasn’t bizarre was Sarfaraz’s confidence and presence in the field. When a potential DRS call is about to be taken, invariably Sarfaraz would rush from slips to speak his mind rather animatedly to Rohit. And when Rohit chooses not to go for the DRS, Sarfaraz would talk excitedly to at least a couple of other team-mates, yanking his eye frequently to look at the big screen.

The joy and appreciation say it all! ☺️ 👏
Where were you when Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his second Double Ton in Tests 🤔
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— BCCI (@BCCI) February 18, 2024
There was a funny little moment between him and Jaiswal while batting on Sunday that got the crowd going. Sarfaraz had clipped a ball into untenanted spaces behind square-leg and wanted two. There were clearly two runs in it. Jaiswal, who was one shot away from his double hundred, wasn’t too keen; he walked first before running slowly to the other end. Sarfaraz wasn’t pleased, gesturing his displeasure and pointing where the ball had gone and how it was easy two. The crowd cottoned on and a general murmur of fun went around: not a boo, not a hoot, just a cry at something amusing unfolding.
When the two batsmen met in the middle after a ball, Jaiswal turned and began to walk away, but Sarfaraz would stop him and tap the bat again. More cheers from the crowd.
Next over, it was Jaiswal’s turn to want to but Sarfaraz chose to walk across. Jaiswal shook his head this time. More chats ensued at the end of that over and when Jaiswal tapped the ball through cover point and set off, Sarfaraz raised his hands in celebration even as he responded to the call. Both batsmen celebrated almost simultaneously. The crowd loves such moments. The last time around it was Mohammad Siraj who did that to celebrate R Ashwin’s hundred in a Test. But Sarfaraz let Jaiswal have his moment, standing at his own end for a while, before he ran across after Jaiswal finished his celebrations. And both enveloped each other in a bear hug and the crowd cleared their lungs again.
Two first-class cricketers who have waited for years to get a chance under arc-lights and it couldn’t have gone more differently.