IND vs ENG 2024: Why Sarfaraz Khan wears jersey number 97?

After grinding hard in domestic cricket for the last few years, Sarfaraz Khan finally got his opportunity to make his debut for the national team in the third Test against England in Rajkot. His father Naushad Khan and wife Romana Zahoor were in tears when the cricketer was handed his debut cap by Anil Kumble, as their dream was finally fulfilled.

Interestingly, soon after that, the reason behind Sarfaraz Khan’s jersey number was revealed. The cricketer dons ‘97’ right from his U-19 days and so does his brother Musheer Khan, who recently featured for India in the U19 World Cup in South Africa. As per News18, the cricketer previously revealed that it is a tribute to his father.

Also read: Sarfaraz Khan's father moved to tears after son receives maiden India Test cap

Naushad is a renowned coach in the domestic circuit and has groomed multiple cricketers including Sarfaraz. Interestingly, his father’s name is a loose combination of the Hindi numbers 9 and 7, which are nau (nine) and saat (seven) and hence, the number 97.

Sarfaraz makes brisk 62 on debut

The Indian batters struggled on the morning of Day 1 as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Rajat Patidar walked back to the pavilion early as India were reduced to 33/3. However, skipper Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja bailed the team out of trouble, stitching a crucial partnership of 204 runs.

Also read: IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma hugs emotional Sarfaraz Khan's father in heartwarming gesture

Rohit got out on 131 runs after he mistimed Mark Wood for a pull. After that came Sarfaraz and changed the complexion of the game as he played an attacking brand of cricket to put the pressure back on England. The Mumbai-born cricketer scored 62 runs off just 66 deliveries before getting run out after a miscommunication with Jadeja.

Also read: IND vs ENG 2024: Rohit Sharma left fuming after Sarfaraz-Jadeja misunderstanding gives England bonus wicket

Rohit was furious with the dismissal while Sarfaraz also looked dejected while walking back to the pavilion. India finished Day 1 with 326/5, as Jadeja is currently batting on 110* runs wth Kuldeep alongside.