"The game is not out of our hands yet" - Sarfaraz Khan reacts to India's batting collapse on Day 4 of IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test
Team India batter Sarfaraz Khan reckons that the hosts are still in with a chance to win the Bengaluru Test even though New Zealand have been set a small target of 107. The Mumbai batter feels that there is enough in the pitch for India's bowlers to make an impact on Day 5.
India suffered a shocking batting collapse on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 19. Resuming their second innings on 231-3, India reached 408-3 as Sarfaraz (150) and Rishabh Pant (99) added 177 runs for the fourth wicket. However, they lost seven wickets for 54 runs to crumble to 462 all-out.
While New Zealand undoubtedly ended Day 4 in Bengaluru with the upper hand, Sarfaraz reckons that the game is not over yet. Reflecting on India's batting collapse, he commented:
"This is not an easy wicket. I still feel the game is not out of our hands yet because the ball is cutting (sic). If we pick up a couple of their wickets early, then they can also be in trouble just like us."
During his fantastic knock, a number of runs for the middle-order batter came behind the wickets. In fact, there was a phase where he constantly teased the slip fielders to find boundaries.
Asked about his unconventional approach, Sarfaraz attributed it to the line and length that the Kiwis bowled.
"They were mostly bowling outside the off-stump to me and gave me room to cut. I just played my strokes. They gave more opportunities to score over there," the 26-year-old explained.
Sarfaraz struck 18 fours and three sixes in his 195-ball knock. His stay at the crease ended when he miscued a big hit off Tim Southee to cover.
"I am doing what is in my control" - Sarfaraz on having to sit out due to playing combination
Despite a brilliant Test debut against England, Sarfaraz did not feature in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. He only got a chance to play in Bengaluru because Shubman Gill was unavailable due to a stiff neck.
On how he motivates himself when is not part of the playing XI despite scoring runs, the right-handed batter replied:
"I am only following my process. I am doing what is in my control and keep speaking to my dad."
While Sarfaraz and Pant featured in an excellent stand for India on Day 4 in Bengaluru, local boy KL Rahul was out for 12. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja (5) and Ravichandran Ashwin (15) also fell cheaply.