Sarfaraz Khan Joins Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli In Elite List With Maiden Test Ton vs New Zealand

19.10.2024 - 08:09 sports.ndtv.com

Sarfaraz Khan led the charge for India as it game a strong reply to new Zealand in the second innings of the first Test in Bengaluru.

Sarfaraz (125, 154b) and Rishabh Pant (53, 56b) were at crease when an early lunch was taken due to rain. The duo milked 113 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket in just 22 overs.

The sight of Rishabh Pant walking out to bat with Sarfaraz too might have calmed a lot of nerves in the Indian dressing room after the former missed the third day's play due to a blow he copped on his knee on the second day while ‘keeping.

There was hardly any doubt about the hero of the first session. Playing in only his fifth Test, the Mumbai man, resuming from 70, tamed overcast conditions and New Zealand bowlers in impeccable fashion as India added 63 runs ahead of the first drinks break.

cricket India Cricket Team New Zealand Cricket Team 2024 Virat Kohli Sachin Tendulkar Sunil Gavaskar Australia New Zealand India Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan

Following India's series defeat to New Zealand on home soil, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan took to X to express both praise for New Zealand and concern for the Indian team's performance in the longer format. In his tweet, Pathan commended New Zealand's impressive achievement and emphasized the need for reflection and improvement within Team India. "Well done, New Zealand, on winning the series on Indian soil! For Team India, there's a lot to reflect on. Senior players need to step up and deliver in the ultimate format of the game. The next three months will be crucial for them."

Watch: Virat Kohli In Disarray After Bizarre Dismissal, Swings His Bat In Frustration

India's talismanic batter Virat Kohli squandered another opportunity to return to form, after being clean bowled by Mitchell Santner for just 1 run. Kohli came out to bat in the morning session of the second Test in Pune after Shubman Gill was dismissed LBW for 30 runs. Playing his 9th ball of the innings, Kohli misjudged the trajectory of the ball and saw him shatter his stumps. After failing to fire in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test against the Kiwis, Kohli once again disappointed with the bat in the first innings of the second Test.

On Virat Kohli Getting Bowled On A Full Toss, New Zealand's Mitchell Santner Gives 'Shock' Reaction

Having spun the second Test and, perhaps, the series in New Zealand's favour with his career-best 7/53, Mitchell Santner admitted it was ‘shocking' to clean up Virat Kohli on a full toss in Pune on Friday. Santner's seven-for handed New Zealand a handy 103-run lead in the first innings on a low, slow surface, which the Kiwis stretched to 301 by end of play. The left-arm spinner's outstanding spell included the scalp of Kohli as India collapsed to 156 all out in the first innings.

Watch: Rishabh Pant's Kick Prank Scares Sarfaraz Khan. Internet Says 'Missed By Inches'

Rishabh Pant is an entertainer on the field. Be it his instinctive batting or his constant talking from behind the stumps, there is never a dull moment when Pant is around. Even when he is not playing, Pant is no less. In a video that has gone viral after the first day of the second India vs New Zealand Test in Pune, Rishabh Pant can be seen playing a 'kick prank' on Sarfaraz Khan while the team was in a huddle. Sarfaraz moved a step back after Pant's 'attempt'.

Watch: Virat Kohli's Baffling Shot Sees Him Bowled For 1, His Own Reaction Says It All

Sunil Gavaskar Makes Stunning U-Turn On Washington Sundar Selection After 'Panic' Verdict

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar made a stunning U-turn after initially criticising the decision to include Washington Sundar in place of Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test match against New Zealand on Thursday. Washington was added to the India squad after the loss in the first Test match in Bengaluru and his inclusion in the playing XI prompted Gavaskar to say that it was a 'panic' decision. However, the all-rounder produced a stunning performance and took seven wickets to put India in control. Even Gavaskar was impressed with his performance and on commentary, the legend remarked - "What an inspired selection. He is picked in the XI because he can bat a little bit, bowl a little bit.”