By Shrivathsa Sridhar
BENGALURU (Reuters) – Sarfaraz Khan dazzled under the lights to score his maiden test century as India motored to 344-3 at lunch on the fourth day of their rain-hit series opener on Saturday to trail the tourists by 12 runs.
Resuming on 231-3, India made light of overcast conditions as Sarfaraz rose to the challenge, taking on New Zealand’s fast bowlers with his innovative style to stay unbeaten on 125 with Rishabh Pant giving him company on 53 not out.
The duo put on an unbroken 113 for the fourth wicket when rain halted play 30 minutes before lunch.
India are looking to avoid a first home defeat against New Zealand since 1988 after the Black Caps boosted their chances by rattling the hosts with 402 in their first innings for a lead of 356 thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s century.
Sarfaraz’s knock was marked by cuts behind the wicketkeeper but it was a thunderous backfoot drive for four that brought him his century and he celebrated like the final sprinter in a gold medal-winning relay team with a lap around the infield.
It was sweet revenge for the Mumbaikar, who was among five players to be dismissed for a duck as India were bowled out for their worst home total of 46 in the first innings after the opening day’s play was washed out.
New Zealand earlier missed a big opportunity to have Pant run out after a mix-up between the batsmen, as wicketkeeper Tom Blundell left his line to intercept a throw from the deep when he should have stayed rooted to the stumps.
Pant, who was unable to keep wickets midway through the New Zealand innings with a knee injury, rode his luck and brought up his half-century with a superb boundary.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
