NEW DELHI: Rising India star Sarfaraz Khan etched his name into the history books during the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Saturday with a unique achievement - scoring a duck and a 150-plus score in the same match.
This rare feat places him in elite company alongside Madhav Apte and Nayan Mongia, two former Indian cricketers who also accomplished this unusual double.
In the first innings, Sarfaraz was dismissed for a duck, failing to trouble the scorers. However, he made a resounding comeback in the second innings, smashing 150 off 195 balls studded with 18 fours and three sixes, a knock that solidified his position as one of India's rising stars in the longer format.
Duck and 150-plus score in the same Test for India- 0 & 163* - Madhav Apte vs WI, Port of Spain, 1953
- 152 & 0 - Nayan Mongia vs AUS, Delhi, 1996
- 0 & 150 - Sarfaraz Khan vs NZ, Benglaluru, 2024
Playing in only his fourth Test, the Mumbai man, resuming from 70, went on to slam his maiden Test hundred on the fourth day of the match.
His innings was pivotal, sparking a remarkable recovery for India after they were bowled out for a mere 46 in the first innings. New Zealand responded with a commanding 402, securing a massive 356-run first-innings lead.
Sarfaraz's achievement mirrors similar performances by two Indian batters. In 1953, Madhav Apte made 0 and 163* against the West Indies at Port of Spain, while Nayan Mongia followed with 152 and 0 against Australia in Delhi during the 1996 Test series.
This feat highlights Sarfaraz's resilience and ability to bounce back after failure, showcasing his potential to handle pressure in crucial moments.
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