India erases New Zealand's 356-run lead to record second-highest recovery in Tests played in India | Cricket News

Rishabh Pant hugs Sarfaraz Khan after he completes his century (PTI Photo)

India's remarkable recovery in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru saw them wipe out the visitors' gigantic 356-run lead in the first innings with a batting performance that was in stark contrast to the hosts' embarrassing 46-run first innings.
Sarfaraz Khan's maiden Test century led the charge that led to a determined batting performance from the Indian top and middle order, which ultimately helped Rohit Sharma & Co. record the second highest recovery for the team in Tests played in India.
It is the second-highest number of runs India have scored to erase a first-innings lead on home soil. Topping the list is 380 runs scored by India in the Chennai Test against England in 1985 to neutralize their opponents' advantage.
List for the lead (number of runs) India covers in home Tests:
380 – against England in Chennai, 1985
*356 – vs New Zealand in Bengaluru, 2024
334 – against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad, 2009
293 – against England at Kanpur, 1964
274 – against Australia in Kolkata, 2001
229 – against West Indies in Delhi, 1959
List for the lead (number of runs) Covered by India in exams abroad:
386 – against England at Leeds, 1967
368 – against England in Manchester, 1936
340 – against Pakistan in Lahore, 1978-79
314 – vs New Zealand at Napier, 2008–09
305 – against England at Lord's (London), 1982
302 – against England at Lord's (London), 1952
(Statistics courtesy: Rajesh Kumar)
India were 125 runs behind when play began on the fourth morning M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday with Rishabh Pant as the new batsman alongside Sarfaraz after Virat Kohli (70) fell on the last ball of the day on Friday.
India ended the third day at 231 for 3 after New Zealand put up 402 in their first innings thanks to Rachin Ravindra's century (134) and attacking half-centuries from openers Devon Conway (91) and Tim Southee (65). .
For India, Rohit (52) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (35) formed an opening partnership of 72 before Virat and Sarfaraz combined for a 136-run stand.
Sarfaraz picked up where he left off on Friday and played with attack from the first ball on a crisp morning. Pant, who initially seemed a little hesitant because of the wicket-keeper's knee, which had taken a hit and forced him to miss the entire third day, slowly found his rhythm and reached his half-century.
Before India overtook New Zealand's lead, rain halted their recovery at 344 for 3 in 71 overs.
At the time of publishing this report, Sarfaraz had a batting average of 126 and Pant had a batting average of 68.