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NEW DELHI: Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed his dissatisfaction with the shot selection of young Sarfaraz Khan, which ultimately led to his dismissal on the first ball after tea during the second day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala.
Sarfaraz, who was well settled at 56 and had forged a promising 97-run partnership with debutant Devdutt Padikkal, squandered a golden opportunity to transform his innings into a potential century. Unfortunately, his innings concluded in a somewhat anti-climactic fashion when a late cut, executed on the first ball after tea, led to his dismissal. He was caught at slip off Shoaib Bashir.
Gavaskar couldn’t stop himself from reacting as he instantly recalled cricketing great Sir Don Bradman‘s million-dollar advice on never to get complacent even if you are batting on 200.
“The ball was pitched up; it wasn’t short enough for that shot. Goes for it and pays the price. I mean you are playing the first ball after tea. Give yourself a little sighter. Don Bradman said to me ‘Every ball that I face, even if I am on 200, I think I am on 0.’ And here is [Sarfaraz] is… playing such a shot first ball of the session,” Gavaskar shared his opinion during the commentary.
Sarfaraz’s dismissal proved to be a turning point as it triggered a collapse for India. From a position of strength at 376/3, the team stumbled to 428/8, losing quick five wickets in a span of 54 runs, allowing England to make a significant comeback.
Both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill struck their second hundred of the series to fetch India a handy first innings lead. Each of India’s top five batters, including debutant Devdutt Padikkal, managed 50-plus scores to power the hosts to a commanding 473-8 for a lead of 255.
Sarfaraz, who was well settled at 56 and had forged a promising 97-run partnership with debutant Devdutt Padikkal, squandered a golden opportunity to transform his innings into a potential century. Unfortunately, his innings concluded in a somewhat anti-climactic fashion when a late cut, executed on the first ball after tea, led to his dismissal. He was caught at slip off Shoaib Bashir.
Gavaskar couldn’t stop himself from reacting as he instantly recalled cricketing great Sir Don Bradman‘s million-dollar advice on never to get complacent even if you are batting on 200.
“The ball was pitched up; it wasn’t short enough for that shot. Goes for it and pays the price. I mean you are playing the first ball after tea. Give yourself a little sighter. Don Bradman said to me ‘Every ball that I face, even if I am on 200, I think I am on 0.’ And here is [Sarfaraz] is… playing such a shot first ball of the session,” Gavaskar shared his opinion during the commentary.
Sarfaraz’s dismissal proved to be a turning point as it triggered a collapse for India. From a position of strength at 376/3, the team stumbled to 428/8, losing quick five wickets in a span of 54 runs, allowing England to make a significant comeback.
Both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill struck their second hundred of the series to fetch India a handy first innings lead. Each of India’s top five batters, including debutant Devdutt Padikkal, managed 50-plus scores to power the hosts to a commanding 473-8 for a lead of 255.
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