'Hats off to your persistence' - Netizens laud Sarfaraz Khan after maiden Test ton

Sarfaraz Khan translated his domestic form into international cricket as he slammed his maiden Test century on Day 4 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 19.

The youngster got an opportunity to play the Test after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to neck stiffness. Sarfaraz could not capitalise in the first innings as he was dismissed for a three-ball duck but he redeemed himself in grand style in the second.

Also Read: Hoping Sarfaraz Khan to smash triple hundred on Day 4: Abhishek Nayar

Starting from an overnight score of 70 off 78, Sarfaraz batted with the same positive intent that he showed on Day 3. He got to the magical three-figure mark off just 109 balls when he hit Tim Southee for a boundary wide of cover off a back-foot punch. His epic knock was laced with 13 fours and three sixes.

Sarfaraz is regarded as one of the finest players of spin bowling in domestic cricket. He showed exceptional skills against the likes of Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips during his knock. The 26-year-old used the sweep shot to good effect. The ease with which he played the New Zealand seamers garnered him a lot of praise from fans as well as experts.

Also Read: 'Sarfaraz Khan is 2024 version of Javed Miandad' - Sanjay Manjrekar compares youngster to Pakistan legend after Bengaluru knock

Sarfaraz scored a lot of his runs through the third-man region and also square of the wicket on both sides. He did not play too many shots straight down the ground. New Zealand erred in their plans against him as they bowled to his strengths. Sarfaraz has the ability to convert centuries to double tons and Indian fans will hope for the same as India look for a miraculous turnaround in Bengaluru.

Here's how 'X' users reacted to Sarfaraz's maiden century: