In-form Sarfaraz Khan at No. 8? India's tactics in Mumbai Test slammed by pundits

India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test: India decided to hold Sarfaraz Khan back and send him at No. 8. The young batter, who hit a 150 in the second Test in Pune, was dismissed for a four-ball duck.

In Short

• India were bowled out for 263 in their first innings in Mumbai Test
• Sarfaraz Khan was sent to bat at No. 8, well below his usual position
• Sarfaraz was dismissed for a duck by left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel

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

Sarfaraz was held back in the batting order because India sent a nightwatchman in the final session on Day 1. While the Mumbai batter was expected to walk in at No. 7 after the 96-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, India sent Ravindra Jadeja in a bid to seemingly ensure right-left combination.

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Sarfaraz Khan lasted only four deliveries in the middle as he was undone by a delivery from Ajaz Patel that bounced and spun sharply off the Wankhede Stadium pitch. Sarfaraz looked gutted as he missed out on an opportunity to play the rescue act that he is known for at the venue for his state team.

Taking to social media, Sanjay Manjrekar questioned why India held back Sarfaraz, who has been in fine form. The young Mumbai batter hit 150 on his return to the Test side in a gritty second innings knock in the last Test against New Zealand in Pune.

"A guy in form, has 3 fifties in his first 3 Tests, gets 150 in the Bangalore Test, a good player of spin, pushed back in the order to keep left & right combination?? Makes no sense. Sarfraz now walking in at no 8! Poor call by India," Manjrekar wrote in his post on X.

A section of fans also expressed their disappointment at India's handling of their 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) played with freedom and flair, the rest of the batting unit faltered against New Zealand's bowling unit on a spin-friendly pitch.

India's tactics in the series have been immensely scrutinised. Even in the third Test, India's decision to send Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman when 15 minutes of play was left on Day 1 was slammed after the tail-ender fell for a golden duck. India also lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli in a span of 15 minutes on Friday as they crumbled from 78 for 1 to 84 for 4.

India lost their last wicket via a run-out as Akash Deep was found short of his crease, leaving Washington Sundar, who was batting well on 38 not out, stranded.

India lost a home series for the first time in 12 years when New Zealand went 2-0 up after stunning the hosts in Pune. India are in danger of getting whitewashed in a home Test series.