IND vs ENG: Sarfaraz Khan Is Better Suited For Test Format Than T20, Feels Former India Captain

Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of India, has stated that Sarfaraz Khan's style of play is better suited for Test cricket, especially considering his promising beginning with the Indian Test team.

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, believes that middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan's style of play is better suited for Test cricket rather than the T20 format of the game. Sarfaraz is among the debutants in India's ongoing five-match Test series against England. Making his debut in the third IND vs ENG Test in Ranchi, the right-hander impressed by scoring consecutive fifties in his maiden appearance for India.

Sarfaraz, receiving his Test cap from former India skipper Anil Kumble, left a lasting impression in Rajkot. The 26-year-old achieved a notable milestone by scoring twin half-centuries on debut, joining the ranks of cricket legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Dilawar Hussain and Shreyas Iyer.

Sarfaraz boasts an impressive record in first-class cricket, amassing 4056 runs in 47 matches with an average of 68.74. His remarkable tally includes 14 centuries and 13 half-centuries. 

Sarfaraz Khan Is 'More Of A Five-Day Player': Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, in an interview with RevSportz, emphasised that Sarfaraz Khan is better suited for the five-day format of Test cricket than T20 cricket. Ganguly praised Sarfaraz's outstanding domestic performance, particularly in the Ranji Trophy and first-class cricket, highlighting that prolific run-scoring has contributed to his success in the Test format. Sarfaraz's impressive track record validates the belief that consistent run-scoring does not go unnoticed, according to Ganguly.

“I think he’s more of a five-day player. His game is suited for that. T20 is a different format. And the amount of runs he scored in domestic cricket, in the Ranji trophy and in first-class cricket has been phenomenal. And as they say, if you score runs, it doesn’t go to waste. And that’s exactly what’s happened to Sarfaraz,” Ganguly told RevSportz.

Sarfaraz contributed significantly in the 3rd IND vs ENG Test by scoring 62 runs in the first innings, before being run-out due to a mix-up with centurion Ravindra Jadeja. He followed this with an outstanding unbeaten 68 in the second innings. Notably, Sarfaraz achieved the second-fastest Test half-century for India, reaching the milestone in just 48 deliveries during the first innings.

India have won and are leading the India vs England Test series by 3-1 and both the teams will face off for the final IND vs ENG Test at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala from March 7.