Sarfaraz Khan said it was his demand for the second run that almost brought Rishabh Pant's innings to a premature end on the fourth day of the first Test against the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz said midway through the first run, he realized that Pant might not be able to return for the second run due to a right knee injury that had prevented him from keeping wickets since Day 3.

On the first ball of the 56th over, Sarfaraz Khan cut the ball wide off the bowling of Matt Henry. However, there was a huge mix-up in the middle and Rishabh Pant narrowly escaped a run-out. The left-handed batsman started late in the first run but decided to come back in the second run. Somehow, New Zealand goalkeeper Tom Blundell failed to take the balls even when Pant was guilty of ball-watching.

On the non-striker's side, Sarfaraz Khan could be seen shouting, gesticulating and even jumping to stop Rishabh Pant, but the latter fell halfway up the pitch in the second over. Sarfaraz Khan also lost his temper in the face of the experienced wicketkeeper.

Sarfaraz said the team management decided not to make quick runs while batting with Pant, but the excitement of scoring his maiden Test century overwhelmed him and he bowled the keeper-batsman in the second run.

“Rishabh was injured a day before. He was injured, so we had discussed in the dressing room that we would be conservative in our batting with him. But when I cut the ball late, I was close to 100, so I called for a double.” After finishing the single, I realized that he had pain in his knees and would come back for the second time. I immediately shouted “Stop” but he didn’t look at him “But thank God he was safe,” Sarfaraz said after the day’s match.

New Zealand hit back after the Sarfaraz and Pant show

New Zealand hit back after India's Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant suffered heavy blows on a rainy fourth day

Fast bowlers Matt Henry and William O'Rourke took three wickets each to bowl India out for 462 in the final session in Bengaluru.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham and Devon Conway came out to bat but only four balls were bowled and no runs were scored before poor light forced the players out, a heavy downpour set in and stumps were called.

Sarfaraz, who scored 150, and left-hander Pant, who scored 99, scored 177 runs for the fourth wicket, overtaking India's huge deficit of 356, before the second new ball gave the Black Caps victory.

Sarfaraz, who reached his first ton in four Test appearances, fell shortly after reaching 150 when he was caught at cover off Tim Southee.

“Ever since I started playing cricket, my dream was to play for India and score 100 for India. I am happy,” 26-year-old Sarfaraz told reporters.

“It's not an easy wicket and I feel like the game didn't slip out of our hands. If we can take out two or three quick wickets, they will meet the same fate.”