Sarfaraz Khan's exceptional 150 runs, and Rishabh Pant's 99 guided India to 438 with the loss of six wickets at the end of session two on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
In a highly encapsulating match between two Test cricket giants, the sublime pace bowling display was taken over by the breathtaking display from Rachin and Sarfaraz.
Cricketing icons Yuvraj Singh and David Warner lavished praise on Sarfaraz Khan for his valiant display with the bat which rescued India from a dire situation in the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
At the stroke of Lunch, India posted 344/3, with Sarfaraz and Pant unbeaten with scores of 125(154) and 53(56), respectively. With the deficit now reduced to just 12 runs, the match is evenly poised for a climactic finish.
Cautious batting by Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal raised hopes of India's comeback after managing to end New Zealand's gruelling outing with the bat on Day 3 of the opening Test in Bengaluru.
Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee spoiled India's high-flying session by forging an unbeaten 112-run partnership, handing New Zealand complete control of the opening Test on Day 3 in Bengaluru on Friday.
At the end of the second session, New Zealand posted 82/1 on the board with Devon Conway and Will Young unbeaten with scores of 61(64) and 5(7), respectively.
For the first time in 14 years, India found itself in a state of panic in the first session of the opening Test against New Zealand on Day 2 in Bengaluru.
ndia head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasised the importance of bowlers and the need to end the batter's "obsessed" mindset ahead of the opening Test against New Zealand here at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.