In-form Sarfaraz Khan at number 8? India’s tactics in Mumbai Test criticized by experts

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar and a section of fans criticized the decision to have Sarfaraz Khan bat at No. 8 in India’s first innings of the third and final Test against New Zealand. Sarfaraz was dismissed for 0 after coming into bat after Ravindra Jadeja on Day 2 of the Test match.

Sarfaraz was left behind in the batting order as India posted a nightwatchman in the final session of Day 1. While the Mumbai batsman was expected to bat at No. 7 after the 96-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, India sent Ravindra on. Jadeja seemingly with the aim of providing the right-left combination.

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Sarfaraz Khan could manage just four deliveries in the middle as Ajaz Patel returned a shot that bounced and looped hard in the Wankhede Stadium area. Sarfaraz looked hollow as he missed the opportunity to play his famous save display at the state team’s home ground.

Sanjay Manjrekar on social media questioned why India kept back Sarfaraz, who is doing well. The young Mumbai batsman reached 150 in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru in a difficult second innings on his return to the Test side.

“He’s in good form, got 3 fifties in his first 3 Tests, 150 in the Bangalore Test, is a good spinner, pushed back to cover the left and right combination?? Doesn’t make any sense. Sarfraz comes in now at no 8! Bad call from India,” he said. wrote Manjrekar in his post on X.

A section of the fans also expressed their disappointment with India’s management of the innings in the first innings.

After the home team took a 28-run lead, India left the field with 263 points. While Shubman GIll (90) and Rishabh Pant (60) played with freedom and flair, the rest of the batting unit floundered against New Zealand’s bowling unit on a spin-friendly pitch.

India’s tactics in the series have been widely scrutinised. Even in the third Test, with 15 minutes of play remaining on Day 1, India’s decision to send in Mohammed Siraj as night watchman was criticized as the back fell in love with the golden duck. India also lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli on Friday, falling from 78 to 84 for 1 in 15 minutes.

India lost their last wicket for a run out as Akash Deep was found close to the crease, leaving the well-batting Washington Sundar stranded on 38.

India lost a home series for the first time in 12 years as New Zealand took a 2-0 lead to stunned the hosts in Pune. India are in danger of being whitewashed in a home Test series.

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