Sarfaraz Khan (PTI Photo)

Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar praised centurions Rachin Ravindra and Sarfaraz Khan after their exploits in the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
New Zealand batsman Rachin, who has roots in Bengaluru, scored his second Test century to guide the visitors to a total of 402 in their first innings after bowling out India for 46 – their lowest Test score at home. He played a brilliant knock of 134 runs, peppered with 13 fours and four sixes. Rachin also became the first New Zealand batsman to hit one Test century in India since 2012.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan registered his maiden Test ton in India’s second innings, teaming up with Rishabh Pant to take the lead on Saturday. The pair shared an unbroken partnership of 113 runs for the fourth wicket before rain halted play in the first session, forcing an early lunch. India were 344/3 after 71 overs, with Sarfaraz (125*) and Pant (53*) at the crease.

“Cricket has a way of connecting us to our roots. Rachin Ravindra seems to have a special bond with Bengaluru, where his family comes from! Another century to his name,” Tendulkar wrote on X.
“And Sarfaraz Khan, what an opportunity to score your maiden Test century when India needed it most! Exciting times lie ahead for both these talented youngsters,” he added.
Sarfaraz resumed his daring approach from 70, bombarding the offside line with brutal cuts into the back foot. He found excellent support from Pant, who after an initial phase of patience, shifted gears to unleash his aggressive self.
Pant executed a mistimed shot off Henry at mid-on for four, while Sarfaraz reached his hundred in style – a back-foot strike off Southee that cleared the in-field for four. Sarfaraz ran with his bat raised and his arms raised, took off his helmet, roared with joy and waved his bat in celebration. Pant greeted him with a bear hug as the stadium rose to its feet and applauded a stunning punch under pressure.
While Sarfaraz continued to paddle and push his way to more boundaries, Pant went wild, beating Southee six and four in succession. He showed excellent footwork, hitting Ajaz Patel for two mighty sixes and surviving an LBW decision that was overturned after review, showing a great inside edge.
New Zealand then burned a review on the next ball when Pant was batted after a poor delivery. Pant piled up the runs further with two more boundaries off Patel and Glenn Phillips, completing his fifty in 55 balls. His innings put an end to concerns over his fitness after he earlier limped off the field after being hit on the right knee while keeping wickets on day two.