Sanjay Manjrekar, former Indian cricketer and now a commentator feels the great batting display by Sarfaraz Khan in the first Test against New Zealand at Bengaluru marks out his potential importance for India’s tour of Australia. It was a match-changing innings from him as he scored his very first Test century and finally at close on Day 4, he was left unbeaten with 150 runs.

Sarfaraz Khan: A Big Trouble For Australian Bowlers

Manjrekar in conversation with ESPNCricinfo said that the manner in which Sarfaraz batted threw up question of his ability and how he can handle the pressure of batting on a tricky wicket at M Chinnaswamy Stadium where the rains interrupted play frequently. Conditions in Australia will be pretty similar to what Sarfaraz may face here. Technique and composure will be crucial for him down there against some fearless pace bowling by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.

“Very happy to see the way he plays fast bowlers, and he has played fast bowlers before as well against England. This was a pitch very similar to the foreign pitches that we get, where there is a bit of pace and bounce. Interestingly, I am imagining him on a flatter pitch in Australia, where there isn’t a lot of seam movement,” Manjrekar said

“He is going to give migraines to those Australian bowlers because of the shots that he plays. There is certainity, there is calmness and if you see the close up of Sarfaraz, he watches the ball always on to his bat. He has a tremendous hand-eye coordination. His technique isn’t bad for Australia. I will be very excited to see how he goes, and he is a definite candidate, and he should walk into the India playing XI against Australia,” Majrekar added.

The in-form Virat Kohli’s knock went in vain at the very end of Day 3 as he was sent back for 70. As the match narrowed, Sarfaraz and Rishabh Pant held it together on Day 4 with crucial partnership that helped India post a strong second innings score of 462. New Zealand looked well inside a tough target of 107 to win. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz celebrated his first Test hundred as Pant went short of it by just one run, back to the pavilion for 99.

Although India suffered a late collapse after tea, where four wickets fell in a short period. India’s innings ended within 99.3 overs, thus leaving New Zealand to face a formidable chase on the third day. According to Manjrekar, Sarfaraz showed promise by his finer showing under tougher overseas conditions.