Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli played a vital role in convincing Rohit Sharma to take a brilliant DRS review during Day 1 of the second Test match between India and New Zealand in Pune on Thursday. The decision spelt the end of Will Young‘s innings and the video of the incident has already gone viral on social media. Young was caught down the leg side by Rishabh Pant off Ravichandran Ashwin‘s bowling but both of them did not seem convinced. However, Sarfaraz made a passionate case for the DRS review and he was supported by Virat. Sarfaraz was even heard asking Rohit to trust him on the review – “Mujh par bharosa karo (put your trust in me)”. Rohit finally decided to go for the review and the replay clearly showed a spike when the ball went past the batter’s gloves.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull was impressed by Sarfaraz’s conviction during the appeal.
“Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli were fully convinced it was out. Kudos to Sarfaraz for having such a great morning,” he said on commentary.
in #2nd_Test
Keeper Bowler Captain kisi ko nahi Suna
Sarfaraz khan Bola Please Mujh Par Bharosa Karo.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/wkyTUNmMqp
— A. Wahid (@A__Wahid) October 24, 2024
Coming to the match, Ravichandran Ashwin picked two wickets, but an unbeaten 47 from opener Devon Conway ensured New Zealand reached 92/2 in 31 overs at lunch on day one of second Test at the MCA Stadium on Thursday.
The morning session was an even-stevens and absorbing affair, as there wasn’t prodigious swing and seam on offer before Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar bowled 24 overs of spin collectively, as they got good purchase from the slow black-soil pitch by bowling quicker through the air.
In the morning, Conway and captain Tom Latham hit five boundaries between themselves before the latter fell early to Ashwin, who got the length ball to straighten after pitching on leg-stump and trapped the left-handed batter lbw for 15 off 22 balls.
Conway and Will Young got some easy singles on offer, while hitting boundaries occasionally to stitch a 44-run stand for the second wicket. Ashwin then strangled Young down leg, and Sarfaraz Khan, stationed at short leg, prodded captain Rohit Sharma to take a review.
Replays justified Sarfaraz’s conviction as there was a spike detected on the ultra-edge when the ball passed off the gloves, before being pouched by Rishabh Pant, as Young was dismissed for 18.
With Conway being solid like a rock, especially in his sweeps, and Rachin Ravindra surviving a few close brushes till lunch came, expect India to put in more pressure on the duo in second session via spinners. There might be a chance for pacers to dominate, especially if there is a chance for reverse swing due to good length region on the pitch being dry.
(With IANS inputs)
