India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has apologised to debutant batter Sarfaraz Khan after the latter got run out following a mix-up with him during Day 1 of the ongoing 3rd Test in Rajkot. Sarfaraz was batting on 62 before a terrible mix-up between him and Jadeja ended his innings prematurely. Mark Wood affected a direct run out with Sarfaraz well short of his crease at the non-striker’s end. Jadeja took to social media after stumps on Day 1, admitting that it was his “wrong call” which led to Sarfaraz’s dismissal.
“Feeling bad for @sarfarazkhan97 it was my wrong call,” Jadeja posted on his Instagram story.
“Well played,” added Jadeja, lauding Sarfaraz for his exploits on Day 1.
Ravindra Jadeja apologising to Sarfaraz Khan. pic.twitter.com/9QlW5CuWin
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 15, 2024
Sarfaraz raced his way to a 48-ball half-century and the way he was batting, many had backed him to get a century on debut.
Jadeja was batting on 99 when Sarfaraz got run. India captain Rohit Sharma lost his cool after the incident as he threw away his cap in anger in the dressing room.
Sarfaraz termed his dismissal — the run out at the non-striker’s end — a case of “miscommunication”.
“It is a part of the game. Miscommunication happens in cricket. Sometimes run-out happens, sometimes you get the runs,” he said.
“I spoke to Jadeja at lunch time and requested him to talk to me while playing. I like talking while playing. It was my first time.
“I told him that when I go out to bat, keep talking to me while playing. He kept talking and supported me a lot while I was batting,” Sarfaraz added.
It is not easy for any player to keep trudging through years of domestic cricket, piling up runs year after year and not get a chance in the national side.
When he finally got it, Sarfaraz said the taste of international cricket was almost similar to domestic, but with a few obvious differences.
“Initially I was feeling awkward since it has been a long time in anticipation. But later on I felt that I have done all of this, once I was in my zone I did not find it difficult,” he said.
“Difference is there, you do not have crowds in first-class cricket and you do not come across national players much,” he added.
