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The Rohit Sharma-led Team India handed Test debut to Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan in the ongoing third Test against England. However, Sarfaraz Khan is not the only batter to make a debut, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel also received his debut cap from Dinesh Karthik, replacing KS Bharat in the side for the Rajkot Test.
While the 26-year-old was presented his debut cap numbered 312 by legend and former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble. As the India batter took the field, he donned his jersey number 97, sporting the unique number who has a close association with it. The Mumbai batter is often seen sporting this number, be it in domestic cricket or even Indian Premier League (IPL).
Highlighting the story behind this number, Sarfaraz Khan had earlier explained the significance behind the number 97. The number also boosts of his close association with his father, Naushad Khan, who has been a pillar and even his coach throughout his cricketing career.
Sarfaraz’s jersey number is a loose combination of the Hindi numbers 9 and 7, which is nau (nine) and saat (seven). As the cricketer has dedicated his cricketing achievements to his father, the jersey number is also a tribute to his father. Moreover, 97 is also the birth year of Sarfaraz, who was born on 22 October 1997.
Naushad Khan gives witty response to Aakash Chopra’s “wait too long” remark
Sarfaraz Khan’s father Naushad Khan also lighted the commentary box alongside former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra. On being asked why he waited for so long for his son’s debut, Khan dropped a witty response.
“Raat ko waqt chahiye guzarne ke liye, lekin Suraj meri marzi se nahi nikalne wala (It takes time for the night to pass, but the sun does not rise according to my wish),” he said.
