Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar and a section of fans criticized India’s decision to field Sarfaraz Khan at No.8 in the first innings of the third and final Test against New Zealand. Sarfaraz was dismissed for 0 after coming into bat after Ravindra Jadeja on Day 2 of the Test match.

Sarfaraz was retained in the batting order as India fielded a nightwatchman in the final session on Day 1. While the Mumbai batsman was expected to come in at No.7 after the 96-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, India fielded Ravindra Jadeja in an apparent attempt to secure the right-left combination.

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Sarfaraz Khan lasted just four deliveries in the middle as he was undone by an Ajaz Patel delivery that bounced and popped off the Wankhede Stadium pitch. Sarfaraz looked gutted as he missed an opportunity to play the save act he is known for at his state team venue.

Taking to social media, Sanjay Manjrekar questioned why India retained Sarfaraz who was in good form. The young Mumbai batsman hit 150 on his return to the Test team in a gritty second-innings knock in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.

“In form guy, has 3 fifties in first 3 tests, gets 150 in Bangalore test, good spin player, pushed back to keep left and right combination?? It doesn’t make sense. Sarfraz now comes in at no 8! Poor call from India,” Manjrekar wrote in his post on X.

A section of fans also expressed their disappointment with the way India handled the batting order in the first innings.

India were bundled out for 263 after the hosts secured a 28-run lead. While Shubman GIll (90) and Rishabh Pant (60) bowled with freedom and flair, the rest of the batting unit struggled against the New Zealand bowling unit on a spin-friendly pitch.

India’s tactics in the series have been scrutinized a lot. Even in the third Test, India’s decision to send in Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman with 15 minutes left to play on Day 1 backfired after the tail-ender fell for a golden duck. India also lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli in the space of 15 minutes on Friday, slumping from 78 for 1 to 84 for 4.

India lost their last wicket through a run-out as Akash Deep was found outside his crease, leaving Washington Sundar, who was batting well, stranded on 38.

India lost a home series for the first time in 12 years as New Zealand went 2-0 up after stunning the hosts in Pune. India risk being whitewashed in a Test series at home.

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