India captain Rohit Sharma scored a fine century; all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja got promoted up the order after an early collapse and he also reached three figures on Thursday. But for India, the hero of the day was debutant Sarfaraz Khan.
The 26-year-old hit 62 from just 66 balls on the opening day of the third Test against England in Rajkot, helping the hosts reach 326-5 and take control of the match. And as good as his short yet entertaining innings was, it still did not match the toil behind the journey to his debut.
Sarfaraz had been overlooked by successive selection committees for red-ball cricket. He was not given a chance despite averaging over 80 in first-class cricket since 2020, to go with his career average of 70. He was perceived as not being fit enough for international cricket, while his weakness against high-quality pace was also talked about.
Had it not been for multiple injuries, absences and loss of form of players in the first-choice XI, Sarfaraz would not have been in the picture. But here he was, against all odds, making his Test bow against England with the five-match series delicately poised at 1-1.
Granted, India were well-placed at 237-4 when Sarfaraz walked out to bat against a tiring England attack on arguably the flattest deck in India. But two fellow young batsmen ahead of him, in both the batting and pecking order – Shubman Gill and Rajat Patidar – were all at sea on the same wicket and never looked like imposing themselves the way Sarfaraz did.
The England spinners who had somehow tied India down in the first two Tests had no answer to the free-flowing and fearless strokeplay of Sarfaraz, who saved his best for the most potent England bowler, Tom Hartley, by lofting him down the ground at will.
His carefree batting was a refreshing departure from the generally constrained approach of the hosts against an inexperienced spin attack.
Sarfaraz brought out the slog sweep as soon as he arrived at the wicket, using the crease effectively and smashing nine fours and a six during his 62. He hardly put a foot wrong and looked set to reach three figures on his debut, only to be run out at the non-striker's end while looking for a quick single that would have given Jadeja his century, right towards the end of the day's play.
Jadeja, the dressing room, the crowd, and the Khan family were crestfallen. Sarfaraz's father Naushad, who is also his coach, was in Rajkot as his son first reached a 48-ball fifty – second fastest on debut by an Indian – and then got run out a few overs later.
Jadeja did reach his century the next ball, helping India close out the day on 326-5. His unbeaten 110 off 212 balls with nine fours and two sixes was what held India's innings together after the departure of his captain.
Sharma had to do the repair work as the makeshift top order failed once again. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's flamboyant style resulted in an edge to slip off Mark Wood, while the indifferent Gill edged a nothing ball from the same bowler behind. Patidar spooned a dolly off Hartley to cover as India were jolted inside the first 45 minutes.
Jadeja was pushed up the order to maintain the right-left balance and the two batted normally for most of the day, putting together a double-century stand and pulling India in front.
Sharma was attacked by a barrage of bouncers from Wood after he reached three figures and eventually fell to a pull for a well-made 131. India still had not crossed 250, and two of the remaining six batsmen were debutants – wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel being the other.
That was the moment Safaraz chose to shine. Years of toil in the unforgiving maidans of Mumbai and an even longer wait for his India cap were evident as Sarfaraz went about flaying the England attack.
The only questions that remained at the end of the day's play were why he was ignored for so long – at least for home Tests – and what is stopping other players in the Indian team from batting like him?
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)
2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
