'Most attractive hundred in India in recent times' - Sunil Gavaskar lauds Rachin Ravindra for stunning Bengaluru outing

Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Rachin Ravindra after the New Zealand batter scored an exhilarating century in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, October 18.

Ravindra continued his love affair with Bengaluru, where he scored a century against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup last year. Gavaskar noted that the youngster was equally adept at playing pace as well as spin. The former cricketer also commended Ravindra's footwork during the innings as he smashed 134 off 157 balls, belting 13 fours and four sixes.

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"What a hundred this has been from Rachin Ravindra. The most attractive hundred I've seen in India in recent times. Equally comfortable against pace and spin. The footwork that he has shown has been simply superb," Gavaskar said on-air.

Ravindra's knock silenced the Chinnaswamy as it came at a time when India were trying to get themselves back into the Test after picking up four wickets for 53 runs in the first session on Day 3. The 24-year-old added 137 runs off 132 balls with Tim Southee (65) as the tourists took a lead of 356 runs in the first innings.

Bit of Rahul bit of Sachin in that innings of Rachin: Sanjay Manjrekar

Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar also applauded Ravindra's captivating knock with the bat. The cricketer-turned-commentator spotted similarities with legendary Indian batters like Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in Ravindra's batting.

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"Bit of Rahul bit of Sachin in that innings of Rachin," Manjrekar wrote on his official 'X' (formerly Twitter) handle.

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Meanwhile, India started their second innings on a much better note as Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a 72-run opening stand off 104 balls before the latter threw his wicket away. The southpaw's knock of 35 off 52 balls ended when he stepped out of the crease to hit Ajaz Patel for a maximum but connected with thin air and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell completed a safe stumping.