"We were praising the same method in the last Test match" - Aakash Chopra on Sarfaraz Khan's dismissal in IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test

Aakash Chopra has noted that Sarfaraz Khan's methods can't be blamed for his dismissal in India's first innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. He credited the visitors' planning and execution for the wicket of the last game's centurion.

Sarfaraz scored 11 runs off 24 deliveries as India were bowled out for 156 on Friday, October 25. New Zealand ended the day at 198/5 in their second innings, with a lead of 301 runs heading into Day 3.

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Chopra was asked whether Sarfaraz fell prey to his method of looking to get off to a quick start.

"It's his method to score runs and eventually, we were praising the same method in the last Test match. So I won't question that method, that you are searching runs from the start and want to play attacking cricket," he responded.

The former India opener noted that Mitchell Santner slowed the pace of his delivery to trap Sarfaraz.

"However, there were two very important things here. Firstly, if you see this ball's speed, it was 77 kmph. He was flighting the ball. He bowled so slow because he knew very well where Sarfaraz would score runs against spin. He doesn't hit straight," Chopra observed.

Sarfaraz scored 11 runs off his first 23 deliveries, including a slog-swept four off Glenn Phillips' bowling. He then tried to hit Santner for a boundary but only managed to find William O'Rourke at mid-off.

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"The mid-off and mid-on fielders were kept up to tease him to go over the top" - Aakash Chopra on NZ's strategy against Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan scores the majority of his runs square off the wicket. [P/C: BCCI]

In the same discussion, Aakash Chopra pointed out that Sarfaraz Khan was tempted to hit straight over the top.

"The mid-off and mid-on fielders were kept up to tease him to go over the top, that if you have the ability, you can jump down the track and hit over them. Sarfaraz Khan doesn't hit there at all. So he was given the temptation there," he said.

The reputed commentator added that a trap was also laid for Sarfaraz's sweep.

"The entire midwicket area was also left empty because they knew he would play the sweep but since you were going to play the sweep off a slow ball, a fielder was there at short fine-leg, so that if he got a top edge, he would be caught there," Chopra explained.

Chopra highlighted that the Kiwis learned from their mistakes during the Mumbaikar's 150-run knock in the previous game.

"New Zealand got hit by Sarfaraz once but they came with proper planning the second time, knowing where he could score runs and where he could have difficulties. They executed the plans beautifully by bowling slow, that he could play the sweep if he was able to, or else he would have to hit straight. He tried to hit and got trapped," he observed.

Sarfaraz Khan was Mitchell Santner's third victim in India's first innings. The left-arm spinner eventually finished with figures of 7/53 in 19.3 overs, the first time he has taken four or more wickets in a Test innings.