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Why Is Sarfaraz Khan Wearing A Special Jersey On His Test Debut Against England?

image-lsn2sasrSarfaraz Khan alongside fellow debutant Dhruv Jurel prior to Rajkot Test (BCCI)

Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut for India in their all-important third match of the home series against England. Prior to the proceedings at Rajkot, the 26-year-old received his maiden cap from former Indian captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble.

The cricketer subsequently made his way to the middle wearing a special numbered jersey to tribute his father and coach Naushad.


Sarfaraz Khan pays heartfelt tribute to father

Sarfaraz Khan took field for India for the first time in his career by stepping out into the Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on February 15. Interestingly, the cricketer wore the jersey numbered 97. The number 97 itself serves a huge significance to Khan’s family in ways more than one.

Wearing the same as a mark of respect to his father Naushad, the numbers 9 and 7 can be translated to Nau and Saat in the Hindi language. Moreover, Sarfaraz himself was born in the year 1997.

Batting at number six for Team India on his debut Test, Sarfaraz Khan made his way to the crease in the final session of the day following the dismissal of captain and innings-centurion Rohit Sharma.

The youngster shrugged off any first-game jitters by clubbing confident boundaries off English spinners Joe Root and Rehan Ahmed early in his innings, but was eventually ran-out by Ravindra Jadeja in the fag-end of Day 1.

Earlier in the day, India lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and number three Shubman Gill both at the hands of Mark Wood. Rajat Patidar was also removed by visiting spinner Tom Hartley as India slumped to 33-3 within the opening hour of the day.

Captain Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja led team’s recovery with a belligerent 204-run partnership for the fourth wicket to steer their side to safety before stumps.