Sarfaraz Khan: Batting with Ajju-bhai gave me confidence

Sarfaraz builds on last season’s work with gritty century, credits Rahane, who also registers ton vs Saurashtra

Ajinkya Rahane came up with a century effort—albeit in a domestic first-class fixture—as he faced the biggest crisis of his cricketing life. India’s recent vice-captain ended the opening day of Mumbai’s 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season with 108 not out, contributing to an unbeaten 219-run partnership with No.5 batsman Sarfaraz Khan (121 not out) after rescuing his side from the throes of adversity at 44-3 against defending champions Saurashtra in Ahmedabad.

Mumbai reached 263-3 at stumps on Thursday. In swinging conditions on a bouncy Motera track, the 41-time champion team lost skipper Prithvi Shaw (1), Aakarshit Gomel (8) and debutant Sachin Yadav (19) early. 

Sarfaraz Khan and Ajinkya Rahane

However, Rahane not only shouldered the responsibility as a key batsman. He also turned mentor to young Sarfaraz and advised him to curb his natural attacking ways, opt for patience. A few officials who witnessed Rahane’s 250-ball knock, which was laced with 14 classic fours and two well-struck sixes, described it as an “unbelievable and chanceless” innings while “gutsy” was the word they used for Sarfaraz’s century.

Superb Sarfaraz

Sarfaraz, who used up 219 balls and hit 15 fours and two sixes for his fifth first-class century, credited his patient knock to Rahane’s presence at the other end.  “Ajjubhai at the non-striker’s end gave me a lot of confidence. When you have a player of that stature with you at the wicket, it motivates you no end. 

“He stressed that we need to be at the crease tomorrow [Friday] as well. This was the first time I was playing with him and it was a great learning experience,” Sarfaraz told mid-day.

Sarfaraz, 24, felt the Narendra Modi Stadium wicket was similar to the bouncy wickets in Australia, which offer a lot of swing and bounce to the pacers. 

Words of wisdom

“Ajjubhai often said ‘well left’ when I left deliveries alone. ‘Keep it up, keep going’ he uttered when I played a defensive stroke and he clapped for a perfect cover drive or swept boundary. And whenever I played a poor shot, he reminded me that there is a lot of time left and I shouldn’t be in a hurry and play such shots. Before getting my hundred I was trying to play some shots, but he said, ‘ho jayega hundred, don’t worry, take your time.’ All those timely words made it easy to counter a good attack in tough conditions. I enjoyed this knock with him thoroughly,” Sarfaraz remarked. 

Brief scores
Mumbai 263-3 (S Khan 121*, A Rahane 108*; J Unadkat 1-23) v Saurashtra

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