'Back your shots, play freely' - Sarfaraz Khan shares experience of batting alongside Virat Kohli in Bengaluru Test
"When I was celebrating my century it felt like the grass was blue, not green. It felt like I was in the sky," Sarfaraz Khan said.
Sarfaraz Khan notched up his maiden international century on Day 4 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 19.
After scoring three half-centuries against England in his debut series earlier this year, Sarfaraz finally managed to get to the magical three-figure mark as he smashed 150 off 195 balls, hitting 18 fours and three sixes. At the end of Day 5, the 26-year-old expressed his delight, saying that it was always his dream to score a Test century.
"It felt very good. When I was celebrating my century it felt like the grass was blue, not green. It felt like I was in the sky. I was so happy. My dream was to score a hundred for India and it came true," Sarfaraz said in a short video uploaded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Sarfaraz was involved in a stunning fourth-wicket partnership of 177 runs with Rishabh Pant on Day 4. This partnership helped India muster a fightback after being all out for 46 in the first innings.
"Me and Rishabh play aggressive cricket. Both play attacking cricket and we were talking in the middle that we would help each other," Sarfaraz said.
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I've watched Virat Kohli since childhood, always wanted to play with him: Sarfaraz
On Day 3, Sarfaraz walked out to bat after Rohit Sharma's dismissal and he smashed 70 not out off 78 balls. He forged a crucial 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli. Reminiscing the partnership, the youngster said that he always wanted to bat with Kohli, especially for India. He mentioned that the former India captain gave him a lot of confidence during the partnership and encouraged him to play his natural game.
"I have watched Virat Kohli since childhood and I always wanted to play with him. That dream came true in RCB, but to play with him in the Indian team, that was special. He kept saying that 'back your shots, play freely' and he gave me a lot of confidence. When someone like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma pat your back and say that you have done well, it is obviously a proud moment," Sarfaraz concluded in the BCCI video.
Also Read: Sarfaraz Khan will give migraines to Australian bowlers: Sanjay Manjrekar
Sarfaraz's partnerships with Kohli and Pant helped India avoid an innings defeat as they set the tourists a target of 107 runs.
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