Sarfaraz Khan made the most of the opportunity in the opening Test match against New Zealand to score his maiden international century as India reduced the first-innings deficit to less than 100 by the opening hour of Day 4 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Indian batsman, dismissed for an unlucky duck in the first innings of the match, erupted into a wild celebration on the ground after reaching the three-figure score and the act left captain Rohit Sharma divided in the Indian dressing room.

After guiding Tim Southee’s length ball through cover for a boundary in the 57th over of the innings, Sarfaraz removed his helmet, roared, waved his bat and then showed it to the dressing room, the crowd and the sky, before he sprinted around. the infield with his hands up.

It was not only a fitting celebration for Sarfaraz to have recovered from a first-innings duck to score a ton amid stiff competition within the Indian Test line-up, but also for the fact that the batsman had weathered a storm. ​after India had folded for a while. record low of 46 in the opening innings before conceding a 356-run lead, the highest on home soil in the last 15 years.

The entire Indian dressing room was on its feet as Sarfaraz celebrated his century. Rohit later burst into uncontrollable laughter after watching a replay of the celebration, when the India captain almost fell off his chair.

Sarfaraz Trouser Stand

Rishabh Pant, who was rested on Day 3 due to a knee injury while working the previous day, took charge on Day 4 and ably assisted Sarfaraz in India’s recovery drive in Bengaluru. The pair had almost reached a century stand, leaving New Zealand clueless about their plan, while India moved closer to a total of 350 runs.