Everyone's on the edge of their seat when Sarfaraz and Pant are playing: Rohit Sharma

India were trailing by 356 runs after the first innings against New Zealand in the recently concluded opening Test of the three-match series. The Rohit Sharma-led side was bundled for just 46 runs in the first innings, which hurt them massively but the game was still in their hands, especially when Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant were batting in the second innings at M Chinnswamy Stadium. Senior batters Rohit and Virat Kohli gave the team a brilliant start, registering a half-century each and following which, Sarfaraz and Pant took care of the business.

The duo stitched a partnership of 177 runs, which brought the hosts back into the contest. Notably, Sarfaraz played an aggressive brand of cricket, scoring 150 runs while Rishabh took his time initially but later launched an attack. He dealt in boundaries towards the end of his knock as he departed for 99 runs. 

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Captain Rohit nevertheless was very impressed with his innings and he believed that Rishabh played a mature knock. The 37-year-old also lauded Sarfaraz and for his maturity and added that the 26-year-old was clear in his mind about the brand of cricket he wanted to play in the second innings.

“A couple of partnerships were really exciting to watch and got us back in the game. We could have easily been bowled out cheaply but proud of the effort. Everyone is on the edge of the seat when those two (Sarfaraz and Pant) are playing. They like the play the game which has got them success,” Rohit said during the post-match conference.

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“Rishabh, with the way he bats he takes a lot of risks but I thought it was a mature innings in the game. Defended good balls and left a few balls and then backed himself to play those shots as well. Sarfaraz showed great maturity as well. He is only playing his 4th Test match and to show that kind of maturity and very clear in his mind what shots he wanted to play,” he added.

Meanwhile, after Sarfaraz and Rishabh’s dismissals, India lost wickets like a house of cards as India posted 462 runs in the third innings. New Zealand were asked to chase 107 runs in the final innings, which they did it pretty comfortably.