WATCH: Sarfaraz Khan gets emotional after getting debut cap | Rajkot Test

Sarfaraz is one of the few Indian players to have a First-Class average of more than 50 at the time of his Test debut

Sarfaraz Khan, the much talked about Indian cricketer with loads of runs in domestic cricket, finally made his India debut on Thursday, February 15, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, formerly Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium, in Rajkot. The 26-year-old couldn't control his emotions after getting the cap from India legend Anil Kumble. Later, Sarfaraz, his father, Naushad Khan and his wife were seen very emotional.  

Wholesome moments in Rajkot 

How excited are you to see Sarfaraz Khan & Dhruv Jurel n the 3rd #INDvENG Test?#BazBowled #JioCinemaSports #TeamIndia #IDFCFirstBankTestSeries pic.twitter.com/r7VLxGTBxT

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) February 15, 2024

Sarfaraz, who has a First-Class average of nearly 70 (69.85) in 45 matches, has been in the reckoning to play the most extended format for India in the last few seasons. The absence of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul at the same time made it possible to draft the Mumbai batter in the squad after the first Test, and then he entered the playing 11 at the expense of another Mumbai player, Shreyas Iyer, who was injured. 


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Check IND vs ENG 3rd Test full scorecard from Rajkot here

Sarfaraz Khan first class career stats

FORMAT	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s	Ct	St
FC	45	66	10	3912	301*	69.85	5550	70.48	14	11	443	73	50	0
List A	37	27	9	629	117	34.94	668	94.16	2	0	67	13	16	0
T20s	96	74	21	1188	67	22.41	926	128.29	0	3	116	33	38	0

source: ESPNcricinfo

 

Dhruv Jurel receives his debut cap from Dinesh Karthik. Photo: Sportzpics for BCCI

Dhruv Jurel, who received his maiden India call-up ahead of this series, also made his Test debut after first-choice wicket-keeper batter KS Bharat could not perform. 

Dhruv Jurel first class stats
FORMAT	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s	Ct	St
FC	15	19	2	790	249	46.47	1395	56.63	1	5	99	8	34	2
List A	10	7	3	189	77	47.25	205	92.19	0	2	16	7	16	2
T20s	23	19	7	244	34*	20.33	178	137.07	0	0	14	14	10	1

Highest batting average in FC cricket at the time of India's Test debut

Sarfaraz is among the few Indian players with a First-Class average of over 50 during his Test debut. Vinod Kmabli, another Mumbaikar, had the best First-Class average during his Test debut. He averaged 88.37 in 27 matches. Among the active players, Yahasvi Jaiswal (80.21 in 15 games) and Shubman Gill (68.78 in 23 matches) averaged more than 50 in First-Class at the time of their Test debut.

Highest batting average in FC cricket at the time of India Test debut
Average	Player	Matches
88.37	Vinod Kambli	27
81.23	Praveen Amre	23
80.21	Yashasvi Jaiswal	15
71.28	Rusi Modi	38
70.18	Sachin Tendulkar	9
69.85	Sarfaraz Khan	45
68.78	Shubman Gill	23