- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sun, 20 Oct 2024 11:03 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
India vs New Zealand 1st Test: Sarfaraz Khan reflected on the dreamlike experience of playing alongside his idol, Virat Kohli, after achieving his maiden Test century against New Zealand.
Sarfaraz produced a scintillating performance on Day 4 of the Bengaluru Test, scoring a magnificent 150 against New Zealand. His heroic century, coupled with a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant, helped India recover from a precarious position on Saturday, October 19.
In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sarfaraz expressed his euphoria, calling Saturday's experience "dreamlike." He recounted receiving pivotal advice from Virat Kohli during his knock and highlighted his and Rishabh Pant's strategy to maintain their natural attacking flair, even as India faced adversity.
Watch the video here:
๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ(๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐) ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ป!๐
โ BCCI (@BCCI) October 20, 2024
Watch ๐ฝ#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank
"It felt very good. When I was celebrating my century it felt like the grass was blue, not green. It felt like I was in the sky. I was so happy. My dream was to score a hundred for India and it came true," Sarfaraz Khan said about his century in the Bengaluru Test match.
Sarfaraz Khan acknowledged the significant role India's seniors played in his success. Virat Kohli's sage advice, he revealed, was instrumental in his performance. Kohli's message โ to trust his instincts and play without anxiety โ freed Sarfaraz to express himself on the pitch.
"I have watched Virat Kohli since childhood and I always wanted to play with him. That dream came true in RCB, but to play with him in the Indian team, that was special. He kept saying that 'back your shots, play freely' and he gave me a lot of confidence. When someone like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma pat your back and say that you have done well, it is obviously a proud moment," Sarfaraz concluded in the BCCI video.
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The 177-run stand between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, crafted in merely 211 balls, proved crucial for India. Despite the heartbreaking manner of Pant's dismissal for 99 and Sarfaraz's eventual exit for 150, their partnership exemplified batting balance.
"Me and Rishabh play aggressive cricket. Both play attacking cricket and we were talking in the middle that we would help each other," Sarfaraz said.
Sarfaraz's magnificent 150 helped India set a competitive target of 107 runs for New Zealand to chase.