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Although Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli don’t get along well, they did collaborate at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the site of the first Test match between India and New Zealand, over nine years ago, to provide one of the highlights of the 2015 Indian Premier League.
Since Sarfaraz’s dismissal from the RCB in 2018, Kohli and Sarfaraz have not frequently crossed paths. It was appropriate that their debut batting tandem in an international match took place on the same pitch where they had enjoyed a special moment many years prior.
India was in a difficult situation when the two met, behind New Zealand by 261 runs. After a strong start, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma fell quickly, thus Sarfaraz and Kohli had to undertake the rebuilding process. One thing working in their favour was a pitch that had become more even. The pressure from the scoreboard and possibly a few demons were what they needed to defeat.
India was bowled out for 46 in the first innings, with Kohli and Sarfaraz among the five batters to fall for a duck. In 2024, Kohli had not yet reached fifty in a Test match. Although he didn’t appear to be out of form, he wasn’t finishing games with the same ease as when he was at the top of his game. Additionally, he has had to skip a few games due to personal issues.
From his debut against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has been battling for a spot in the Indian squad. Had Shubman Gill been fit, there’s a chance he wouldn’t even have made the playing eleven. However, the two’s performance disguised the pressure placed on them.
Following four balls of resolute defence, Sarfaraz proceeded with his go-to sweep shot, which resulted in back-to-back fours from Ajaz Patel. It was a crucial play passage. The Indian openers had been despatched by Ajaz, but he was suddenly prevented from getting into any kind of rhythm. After playing a few hesitant shots, Kohli, who was at that point 9 off 22, blasted Will O’Rourke for a magnificent cover drive. And after a brief period of calm, Chinnaswamy Stadium erupted into cheers when Sarfaraz steered the quick bowler past the slips.
O’Rourke attempted to test Sarfaraz with a bouncer, but the pitch was not as rapid and the line was outside off, so the hitter took use of all the available pace to hammer him for six. After two balls, O’Rourke missed the mark once more. This bouncer was faster and directly at Sarfaraz’s body. However, he arched back and, as he was about to fall upon his behind, he plopped the bat’s face in the same direction as the ball and managed to get it over the keeper’s head.
Kohli wanted to join in on the fun by now too. Ajaz leaped down the track and hit the left-arm spinner for a straight six as he entered the field to bowl his eleventh over. However, it was his response following the shot that revealed he was focused. Stepping to his right, Kohli tightened the gloves’ straps and just nodded, turning to face Sarfaraz. After reaching the fifty-run partnership off of just 45 balls with a sweep through square leg on the following ball, Kohli completed the over with another four through long leg.
The difference was down to 125 as the pair combined for 136 runs for the third wicket. If Kohli hadn’t fallen off the last ball, the two would have had an almost ideal day. With their backs to the wall, though, they will know that they have enabled India to dream the unimaginable. A side has only triumphed once in Test cricket history after conceding less than 46 runs in the opening innings. That was in the year 1887. Bengaluru may witness some first-time scenes in the coming days if Sarfaraz can stay on the pitch for an extended period of time and help the hosts establish a sizable advantage.