Xplorich
Sarfaraz Khan made a big impact as a substitute fielder for the injured Rishabh Pant on Day 3 of India’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.His constant chatter from short leg appeared to unsettle Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, with both eventually getting out.
Sarfaraz gets under Sri Lanka’s skin
Before Manav Suthar bowled to Dhananjaya, the Sri Lankan captain stopped play because of movement behind the bowler’s arm. Sarfaraz used the moment to distract him, telling him to focus on the ball instead.“Nothing is there, bro. You are looking there. You are just wasting time, bro. Don’t be scared. You are the captain. Come on, bro,” he was heard saying on the stump mic.Watch:“Why are you worried about that side. Look straight,” he added.The tactic seemed to work soon after. Suthar dismissed Dhananjaya in the same over when the batter edged a tossed-up delivery. Dhruv Jurel’s gloves deflected the ball towards slip, where KL Rahul eventually completed the catch. Dhananjaya was out for 8.
Dickwella falls into India’s trap
Sarfaraz continued his chatter when Niroshan Dickwella came to the crease. India also used short-pitched deliveries against the wicketkeeper-batter, a strategy that had worked in the first Test.Despite the exchanges being accompanied by smiles, Sarfaraz had the final say when Dickwella gloved a delivery from Mohammed Siraj through to Jurel. His dismissal further strengthened India’s position.Earlier, India declared their first innings at 503/9. Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel scored centuries, while Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka’s best bowler with four wickets.
