During the post-match presentation, captain Rohit Sharma praised the fighting efforts of Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant after the loss in the first Test match of the three-match series against New Zealand in Bengaluru.

India were on the back foot from the start of the Test, bowled out for just 46 in the first innings, and New Zealand responded with a massive 402. However, credit goes to India’s batsmen, especially Sarfaraz and Pant, whose partnership of 177 runs in the second innings kept India’s hopes alive in the match.

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In the post-match presentation, Rohit praised the fighting efforts of Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan and also said that everyone was on the edge of their seats watching both of them play.

“Everyone was on the edge of their seats when those two (Sarfaraz and Pant) played. They like to play their game, which has earned them success,” said the Indian captain.

Pant, despite injuring his knee and facing doubts whether he would bat, came out, showed his ability and batted brilliantly. He came agonizingly close to a century, but was finally dismissed when he turned 99.

“Rishabh, with the way he bats, takes a lot of risks, but I thought it was a mature innings in the game. He defended good balls and left some, and then backed away to play those shots too,” Rohit said about Pant’s innings.

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Meanwhile, Sarfaraz, playing only his fourth Test, showed great maturity and skill. He then scored his first Test century and even reached 150 before getting out.

“Sarfaraz also showed great maturity. He is only playing his fourth Test match and showed great mental clarity about the shots he wanted to play,” Rohit added.

India lost the first test of the series by 8 wickets

Talking about the match, after trailing by 356 runs, India fought back with Rohit, Kohli, Sarfaraz and Pant among runs, reached 425/4 in the second innings, but suddenly collapsed, being bowled out for 462 and setting a modest target of 107.

During the chase, New Zealand faced problems early on as Latham got out for 0 in the first over and Conway for 17, both for Bumrah. But Will Young and Rachin Ravindra proved quite composed as New Zealand smoothly chased down the target and cruised to an 8-wicket victory.

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