India A mounted a spirited comeback in the second session of Day 3 at Chinnaswamy Stadium, reducing India B to 22/3 despite having a 90-run first innings lead. With the pressure on, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan stepped up to stabilize the innings.
As they took to the crease in the third session, little did the opposition anticipate the storm that was about to hit them. After tea, Akash Deep resumed bowling with a delivery outside off stump, which Sarfaraz left alone.
Akash tried a similar line but slightly shorter, and Sarfaraz expertly guided the ball past second slip and fine third man for a boundary. Akash then delivered a fuller ball that Sarfaraz drove elegantly through the covers for another four.
Under pressure, Akash overcorrected on his next delivery, angling it onto Sarfaraz’s pads. Sarfaraz seized the opportunity, flicking it through square leg for a third consecutive boundary.
Akash, still struggling, delivered a fuller ball, which Sarfaraz responded to with a splendid straight drive, further intensifying the pressure on the bowler. The Bengal pacer could only manage a short and wide delivery next, which Sarfaraz deftly guided through the vacant point region for a fifth consecutive four.
4⃣4⃣4⃣4⃣4⃣
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 7, 2024
Sarfaraz Khan on 🔥
He hits five fours in an over, off Akash Deep!
What delightful strokes 👌#DuleepTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/eQyu38Erb1 pic.twitter.com/AWE5JhJiuS
Sarfaraz, now with 20 runs from this superb display, was all smiles, and Twitterati quickly showered him with praise for his impressive performance.