"Sarfaraz has the hunger to score runs": Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on Khan's debut

India’s Sarfaraz Khan celebrates his half-century during Day Four of the third Test against England in Rajkot yesterday. Pic/PTI

India captain Rohit Sharma did not expect the third Test to end in four days.

"I thought the game would go to the fifth day. We had only 40 overs to bowl today [Sunday]. We thought 130 overs to get them out would be quite comfortable. More than the runs, it was how many overs we needed to get them out," he said.

Speaking about the win, Rohit said: "Obviously, it's a very good feeling to win a game like that, especially with such a young team. Two debutants and not a lot of Test matches amongst the playing XI as well. So, a lot of these guys are learning from the experience they're having in the middle. We knew it's not going to be easy for us to just come out here and win this series. We have to work really hard. A lot of credit to these young boys who have come and shown a lot of character."

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Rohit Sharma

Not nervous on debut

One among them is Sarfaraz Khan, who scored 62 and 68 not out on debut. Sharma said: "I haven't seen Sarfaraz bat much. I have been told by the Mumbai players who have played with him that he has scored runs in difficult situations. That shows the mindset with which he plays and how he approaches the game. He has scored big runs, not 70s, 80s and 120s but double hundreds and triple hundreds. He has the hunger to score runs and has been continuously scoring in the domestic circuit. He is doing something right to be that consistent. I didn't find him nervous on debut. When he received the cap in the morning, he was very emotional but was involved in the game the moment it started. He was looking to make a difference with his batting, fielding and the energy. I felt good seeing his performance."

Ton-up Rohit pleased

Rohit scored 131 in the first innings here and was happy for himself. "For me personally, every run you score for your country is important. Every hundred you score is very important. A hundred is a hundred wherever you get, no matter who the opposition is. Scoring runs for your team is a privilege and am quite happy about it".

Rohit rallied behind Ravichandran Ashwin, who completed 500 Test wickets here, on his need to leave the game on Friday and rejoin on Sunday. "Losing your most experienced bowler in the middle of a Test match is not easy. But everything aside, family comes first. We felt he should do what he feels is right and he wanted to be with the family, which is absolutely right. Good on him for coming here and being a part of the team on this day. It shows the character and the kind of person he is, wanting to put everything ahead for the team. We were happy to have him back," Rohit said.

4th
Indian to score two half-centuries on Test debut