It will not be simple for New Zealand, Pitch has its challenges: Sarfaraz Khan

On Day 5, New Zealand must score 107 runs to defeat India in the opening Test match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The team led by Rohit Sharma produced a strong comeback after being dismissed for just 46 runs in the first innings, amassing 462 runs in the third. The lower middle order and the tailenders could not contribute enough, which put the hosts in difficulty, but Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan stitched a partnership of 177 runs to get India back into the game.

For the team captained by Rohit Sharma, taking ten wickets won’t be simple. Sarfaraz, though, believes they can reverse the situation on the last day. He clarified that if the team takes two or three early wickets, they may exert pressure on the Tom Latham-led team and exploit it.

For New Zealand, it won’t be simple. There are difficulties with the pitch; there will be turn and the ball will move and cut erratically. They may find themselves in a similar situation as we were if we can make progress early tomorrow,” Sarfaraz was cited as saying.

We intended to engage in attacking cricket: Sarfaraz Khan

The Kiwis were under strain because of the attacking style of cricket that Rishabh and Sarfaraz played. Despite their disastrous batting performance in the first innings, they helped the hosts win the match by bringing India back into the game. Sarfaraz discussed playing with Rishabh and stated that they didn’t want to alter their batting approach. He stated that the keeper-batter was supposed to pursue spinners while he was supposed to focus on seamers.
When he bats with others, runs are scored easily. I was trying to give him the strike whenever New Zealand brought in a left-arm spinner because I knew how effective he was against spinners. I was aware that it would put them under strain.

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I, on the other hand, was outscoring the seamers. At the press conference following the game, Sarfaraz stated, “We both enjoy playing an attacking style of cricket.