[Watch] Sarfaraz Khan takes a victory lap to celebrate maiden Test ton in 2024 IND vs NZ series opener
Sarfaraz Khan took a victory lap to celebrate his maiden Test century in the opening game between India and New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Day 4 (Saturday, October 19). The right-handed batter smashed a boundary off Tim Southee to complete his ton in 110 deliveries. He was included in the playing XI at the last minute due to Shubman Gill’s neck stiffness.
The milestone came in the 57th over of India’s second innings. Sarfaraz played a lovely backfoot punch through cover to hit a boundary. He took off his helmet and held it and the bat, and almost did a victory lap to soak in the applause as the fans and teammates stood up to acknowledge his hundred.
Watch the clip below:
This was the 22nd instance that an Indian batter scored a duck and century in the same Test. Shikhar Dhawan was the other Indian to do that against the Kiwis (0 and 115) at Eden Park in Auckland in 2014.
Sarfaraz Khan is coming on the back of a double century for Mumbai in Irani Cup. The middle-order batter made his Test debut against England earlier this year. The 26-year-old amassed 200 runs, including three half-centuries, in five innings. He looked well set for a century on his debut but was run out in the first innings, while he stayed unbeaten on 68 in the second in Rajkot.
Sarfaraz Khan stands tall as India on a mission against New Zealand in the 1st Test
Sarfaraz Khan’s century helped India fight back against New Zealand in the first Test. Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal also chipped in with 70 (102), 52 (63), and 35 (52), respectively.
At the time of writing, India were 294/3, with Sarfaraz and Rishabh Pant (23 off 24) at the crease. Ajaz Patel has been the pick of the bowlers, picking up two wickets so far.
Batting first, India were bundled out for 46 in the first innings.
In response, the visitors posted 402 in their first innings to take a 356-run lead. Rachin Ravindra starred with the bat, scoring 134 off 157, while Devon Conway and Tim Southee contributed 91 (105) and 65 (73), respectively.
Follow the IND vs NZ 1st Test live score and updates here.