Picture Courtesy -- The Cricket Lounge
India now finds itself in a position of strength thanks to Sarfaraz’s heroics
When the pressure is at its peak, some crumble while others rise to the occasion, Sarfaraz Khan replacing mighty Subhman Gill in this particular test match did just that during the first Test against New Zealand, scoring his maiden Test century. But what made his achievement even more special was the context—he became the 22nd Indian batter to record both a duck and a century in the same Test match. It’s a rare feat, and it was last achieved by Shubman Gill against Bangladesh in Chennai just last month.
The morning session of Day 4 saw India trailing New Zealand by a sizable margin. At 46 all out in their first innings, hopes were dimming fast. Yet, with a determination that only a true warrior could muster, Sarfaraz Khan after having a great domestic season walked into the crease and played one of the finest knocks of his young Test career.
Sarfaraz reached his century in style, smashing a backfoot punch past cover off Tim Southee, the ball racing to the boundary as the infielders could only watch. As soon as it hit the ropes, Sarfaraz’s emotions burst forth. He roared to the skies, took off his helmet, and swung his bat with pure joy. A bear hug from Rishabh Pant followed, but the moment belonged to Sarfaraz. His innings of 125* runs off 157 balls didn’t just keep India in the game; it showed that cricket is, at its heart, a contest of mental strength.
New Zealand posted a daunting 402 runs in their first innings, and India was well behind after being bowled out for a paltry 46. But Sarfaraz, batting alongside Pant (53), turned things around, taking India to 344/3 before rain came off on Day 4. With seven wickets still in hand and the deficit reduced to just 12 runs, India had clawed their way back into the match.
Before Sarfaraz Khan’s heroics, it was Shubman Gill who last registered a duck and a century in the same Test. It was against Bangladesh in Chennai just a month ago. In the first innings, Gill fell for a duck, caught behind by Litton Das off Hasan Mahmud after facing just eight deliveries. It was a frustrating start, but a masterclass in redemption followed in the second innings.
Gill took complete control in the second innings, scoring an unbeaten 119 from 176 balls. His innings, featuring 10 fours and four sixes, helped India declare at 287/4, setting Bangladesh an impossible target. India eventually won by 280 runs, with Gill’s century proving that even after a poor start, a batter can turn things around in a big way.
Sarfaraz Khan’s century against New Zealand wasn’t the first time an Indian batter managed a duck and a hundred in the same Test against the Kiwis. In fact, Shikhar Dhawan was the last to achieve this feat against the same opposition back in 2014 at Eden Park, Auckland.
Dhawan’s Test had a rough start. In the first innings, he was dismissed for a duck, caught by Kane Williamson off the bowling of Trent Boult after facing just three deliveries. But, like Gill and Sarfaraz, Dhawan bounced back. He played composure in the second innings, scoring a magnificent 115 off 211 balls, including 12 boundaries and a six. His innings nearly guided India to an improbable victory, but New Zealand held on to win by 40 runs.
