India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has called on Sarfaraz Khan to replicate his exceptional domestic form on the international stage, hoping the young cricketer can achieve a triple hundred in the ongoing Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Speaking in a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) video ahead of Day 4, Abhishek Nayar praised Sarfaraz Khan ’s resilience and determination, noting that the batsman has become synonymous with scoring big hundreds in domestic cricket, including double and triple hundreds.
Sarfaraz Khan had played a crucial role in India’s fightback on Day 3, scoring a rapid 70 runs on a pitch where the team had earlier collapsed for just 46 runs in the first innings. India, facing a massive 350-run deficit, displayed immense grit to score 231 runs in 49 overs by the end of Day 3. However, the day ended on a sour note with Virat Kohli’s dismissal, leaving India 125 runs behind New Zealand.
Despite the setback, Abhishek Nayar remained optimistic about India’s chances, particularly emphasizing Sarfaraz Khan ’s potential to steer India back into the game. “We associate Sarfaraz Khan with hundreds, double hundreds, and triple hundreds. I’m hoping at the end of the day, we see the domestic Sarfaraz Khan being the beast in international cricket and get that triple hundred,” Abhishek Nayar remarked, hopeful that the young batsman could carry the momentum into Day 4.
Abhishek Nayar also lauded Virat Kohli’s 70-run knock, acknowledging its significance in keeping India in the contest. “It’s always good to get Virat Kohli scoring runs again. Unfortunate to get out on the last ball of the day, but we’re still in a position to get a big score and push this game to the final day,” Abhishek Nayar said.
India’s second assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, echoed Abhishek Nayar’s sentiments, praising the team’s fighting mentality. He highlighted India’s ability to respond to pressure situations, particularly after their first-innings collapse. “We fought really hard, and we were really good up until the last ball. Despite the massive deficit, we’ve given ourselves a chance to get back into the game,” ten Doeschate noted, underscoring India’s resilience.
Abhishek Nayar concluded by emphasizing the team’s fighting spirit, a quality deeply ingrained in the Indian dressing room. “When you’re pushed against the wall, you expect Indians to come and fight back. That innate nature to fight is very natural to us,” he said, projecting confidence in India’s ability to challenge New Zealand in the final stages of the match.
