Alastair Cook hails 'serious run-getter' Sarfaraz Khan after impressive debut for India against England

Former England Test cricket captain Alastair Cook hailed the impressive display of Sarfaraz Khan as India ended on 326-5 after day one of the third Test in Rajkot.

Captain Rohit Sharma's impressive haul of 131 runs took the headlines, while Ravindra Jadeja also made a century, but it was Sarfaraz's exploits which caught Cook’s eye.

Sarfaraz scored 62 runs from 66 balls and on his debut for India, before being run out by Mark Wood.

“I enjoyed Sarfraz's batting,” said TNT Sports expert Cook.

“I was intrigued to see him because you don't average 70 runs in first-class cricket without being a serious player or run-getter.

“You sometimes question some of the stats in the Ranji Trophy because they play on some really flat wickets - Jadeja has got a triple hundred there.

“But actually, this guy can bat. It was a real shame he was run out. I liked how positive he was and how late he played the ball to the spinners.

“It was very different to the modern way of going hard and using the front foot. He really manipulated the ball under his eyes, so I enjoyed that.”

The series is currently level at 1-1, with England aiming to become the first team to win a Test series away in India for more than 10 years.

Brendon McCullum's side got off to a stunning start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill dismissed for 10 and five runs respectively.

Tom Hartley's bowling then claimed Rajat Patidar’s wicket for a mere five runs, before the hosts recovered thanks to Sharma and Jadeja, leaving India on 185-3 as tea approached.

Sharma and Sarfaraz were dismissed late on a day when England battled hard, but India will feel they have the advantage heading into day two.

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