Indian captain Rohit Sharma lauded the impressive partnership between Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan during the first Test against New Zealand. Their remarkable 177-run stand on the fourth day provided India with a glimmer of hope after a disastrous first innings that saw them bowled out for just 46 runs—their lowest Test score at home.
Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant Lead Team India’s Comeback
Team India faced a daunting task after trailing by 356 runs. Despite their struggles, Sarfaraz’s 150 runs and Pant’s near-century of 99 showcased exceptional maturity. Rohit noted, “When those two are batting, everyone’s on the edge of their seat because they like to play the game that has brought them success.” He praised Pant for his balanced approach, saying, “He defended good balls, left a few balls as well, and backed himself to play those shots.”
Rohit also highlighted Sarfaraz’s clarity of mind during his innings, stating, “Sarfaraz, as well, playing in only his fourth Test match to show that kind of maturity was great. He was very clear in his mind about what kind of shots he wanted to play.”
New Zealand’s Historic Victory in India
Despite India’s valiant efforts in the second innings, New Zealand ultimately triumphed by eight wickets, marking their first Test win in India in 36 years. The Kiwis successfully chased down a target of 107 runs after India set them up with a total of 462 in their second innings. Rohit acknowledged the challenge posed by New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, who consistently threatened to take wickets.
India’s Bowling Blitz: Bumrah Strikes First on Day 5 as New Zealand’s Chase Crumbles
“It was a good effort with the bat in the second innings,” Rohit said. “We didn’t bat well in the first innings. So we knew what was ahead and a couple of guys stood out.” He added, “When you are 350 behind, you can’t think too much about it; just got to see the ball and bat. A couple of partnerships were really exciting to watch. We could have easily been bowled out cheaply but proud of the effort.”
As New Zealand began their chase on the final day, rain threatened to disrupt play. However, after only four deliveries bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, light conditions forced players off the field. Ultimately, New Zealand managed to secure victory after resuming play later.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
