Mumbai: In the ongoing first Test match against New Zealand, Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his maiden Test century, remains optimistic about India’s chances on the final day. Despite a modest target of 107, Khan believes that India’s bowling attack could turn the game around.
According to International Cricket Council, Khan, fresh off his century, spoke about the challenging pitch conditions and his strategy for the fifth day. “First of all, this is not an easy wicket, and I believe the game is not lost yet,” he stated during the post-game press conference, suggesting that early wickets on day five could lead to a New Zealand batting collapse.
The 26-year-old batter, who hit 150 runs off 195 balls, shared his elation over reaching a significant personal milestone in his cricket career. “It feels great, and I’m really happy. This is my first century for India, and since childhood, when I started playing cricket, my dream has been to represent India and score a century. To finally achieve that makes me very happy,” Khan explained.
Discussing the tactical approach, Khan detailed his partnership with Rishabh Pant, where they amassed 177 runs to give India a 52-run lead. He highlighted their aggressive strategy, “We decided that both of us should take an aggressive approach,” which was reminiscent of their partnership in a previous Duleep Trophy match that required a similar tactic.
Khan emphasized staying focused in the present, a mindset he maintained even after a poor start in the first innings. “Since I started playing cricket, I’ve focused on one thing: what will happen tomorrow is uncertain, so I try to stay as present as possible,” he remarked, underscoring his philosophy of not dwelling on the past or the future but focusing on the current game.
As India gears up to defend a modest total on the final day, Khan’s century and strategic insights offer a glimmer of hope against the tough opposition posed by New Zealand.