After scoring his first triple-century in the first-class career in previous Ranji Trophy match, the Mumbai youngster Sarfaraz Khan slammed another first-class double-century against Himachal Pradesh on Monday (27th January). He has recently opened about his ouster from the RCB camp in 2016.
Mumbai are currently playing at Dharamsala in Round Seven of the group stage of the 2019/20 Ranji Trophy. This Group B encounter has started on Monday.
After losing the toss, Mumbai had a weak start as they were struggling on 71 for four. However, the 22-year-old Sarfaraz has maintained his last match form and rescued the team with two big partnerships.
At first, the youngster completed 1,000 first-class runs while playing his 22nd first-class innings as he was 49 runs away to achieve this feat before this match. Then he continued his form and built up the strong partnerships too.
The right-handed batsman completed his third first-class century in 102 balls while he reached the 200 runs mark after facing 199 deliveries. It is his second first-class double-century and that too in back-to-back innings.
The brief details of Sarfaraz Khan completing his every 50-run mark in the latest double-century knock:
50 runs off 62 balls
100 runs off 102 balls
150 runs off 173 balls
200 runs off 199 balls
After completing 150 runs in 173 balls, Sarfaraz took only 26 balls to reach his double-century. When Mumbai were batting on 372/5, bad light stopped the play.
At that time, Sarfaraz was batting on 226 off 213 balls (32 fours and four sixes). His latest partner Shubham Ranjane remained unbeaten on 44 runs, and they have already put 158-run partnership for the unbroken sixth-wicket.
Earlier, in that same innings, Sarfaraz and captain Aditya Tare had the 143-run partnership for the fifth-wicket. After scoring 62 runs off 100 balls, Tare was caught out.
In their previous match against Uttar Pradesh in Mumbai, Sarfaraz smashed 301* off 391 balls (30 fours and 8 sixes). While the visitors scored 625/8 (declared) in the first innings, Sarfaraz came to bat when Mumbai were struggling on 128/4. He not only scored his maiden first-class double-century but also secured the three points for his team as Mumbai managed to score 688 for seven (declared).