Sarfaraz Khan‘s father, Naushad Khan, initially hesitated to attend his son’s Test debut in Rajkot. However, a heartfelt message from Suryakumar Yadav persuaded him to reconsider.
Sarfaraz, aged 26, finally made his Test debut against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on February 15, eliciting emotional tears from his father as Anil Kumble presented him with the Test cap.
In an interview with the news agency PTI, Naushad shared insights into how Suryakumar played a crucial role in ensuring his presence in Rajkot to witness his son’s significant moment.
“Initially, I thought I wouldn’t come as that would put Sarfaraz in some kind of pressure, and apart from that I also had a bit of a cold. But Surya’s message almost made me melt,” Naushad said.
Sarfaraz’s dad shared the content of Suryakumar’s message, which read as follows:
“I do understand your emotions. But trust me, when I made my Test debut (last year in March against Australia in Nagpur) and was receiving my Test cap, my father and mother were just behind. And that moment was something beyond special. These moments don’t come too often. So I would suggest that you must go.”
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Upon reading the message, Naushad couldn’t resist and promptly organized his travel to Rajkot.
“After this message from Surya, I couldn’t stop myself from coming. Just took a pill and came here yesterday,” Naushad was quoted as saying in the report.
Sarfaraz had a remarkable Test debut, scoring 62 runs off 66 balls, including nine fours and a six in his impressive innings.
“I found joy representing India with my father present”- Sarfaraz Khan
During a press conference following the first day’s play in Rajkot, Sarfaraz expressed his happiness in realizing his childhood dream of playing for India with his father in attendance.
“Coming to the ground for the first time and getting the cap in front of my father. I was six-years-old when he started my cricket (training). It was my dream to play for the Indian team in front of him,” the Mumbai batter said.
Sarfaraz mentioned that the number of runs he scored wasn’t as significant to him as the opportunity to represent his country in the presence of his father.
“Runs and performances were not on my mind as much as I was happy playing for India in front of my father… He was very emotional as I took the cap in front of him and so was my wife. I felt as if some pressure was off my shoulders given the hard work he had put in on me and I did not waste it,” the debutant said.
Sarfaraz’s first Test inning concluded in an unfortunate manner, as a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja (110*) led to his run-out.
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