New Zealand captain Tom Latham runs up to Sarfaraz Khan after being sent off and congratulates him on his marathon victory

Sarfaraz Khan's marathon battle finally ended when he was dismissed by Tim Southee in the second session of Day 4 in the ongoing first Test of India against New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Shortly after the right-hander converted his first Test century into a score of over 150, his innings ended against the run of play when he tried to hit Southee over the top in the first ball of the 85th over.

It was an outswinger bowled at 129km/h by Southee. As so often, Sarfaraz approached with a hard hand and without much movement of his feet. The bat spun in his hands and the ball rested comfortably in the hands of Ajaz Patel, who was standing at cover. Sarfaraz was similarly dismissed in the first innings. He had no chance at that point. This time he had 150 runs to his name.

This was reflected in the reception of everyone present in the stadium. Batting partner Rishabh Pant, with whom Sarfaraz formed a 177-run partnership for the fourth wicket, patted him on the back and head a few times. As Sarfaraz walked back to the pavilion, New Zealand captain Tom Latham ran up to him and congratulated him on his outstanding innings.

Somewhat surprised by Latham's gesture, Sarafarz turned to the New Zealand captain and greeted him.

The Chinnaswamy crowd gave Sarfaraz a standing ovation.

The Sarfaraz, Pant show

India continued to play at 231-3, braving the overcast conditions when Sarfaraz rose to the challenge and used his innovative batting technique to take on New Zealand's fast bowlers, scoring a blistering knock of 150 while Pant was dismissed just before the break.

The duo put on 177 for the fourth wicket, their momentum briefly halted by a morning rain shower, and they wore down the bowlers in bright afternoon sunshine to raise hopes of a spectacular comeback win.

India began the day looking to avoid a first home defeat to New Zealand since 1988 after the Black Caps boosted their chances by unsettling the hosts with 402 in their first innings and taking a lead of 356 thanks to Rachin Ravindra's goal.

Sarfaraz's strike was marked by cuts behind the wicketkeeper, but it was a thunderous backfoot drive for four that gave him his century and he celebrated like the final sprinter in a gold medal-winning relay team with a lap around the infield .

It was sweet revenge for the Mumbaikar, who was among five players dismissed for a duck as India were bowled out with their worst home score of 46 in the first innings after play was washed out on the opening day.

New Zealand earlier missed a great chance to run out Pant following a mix-up between the batsmen when wicketkeeper Tom Blundell left his line to intercept a throw from deep when he should have stuck to the stumps.

Pant, unable to keep wickets due to a knee injury midway through New Zealand's innings, capitalized on his luck and brought up his half-century with a boundary.

He returned after the long rain break, smashed Ravindra for a huge six to take India to 350 runs and stormed down the wicket to hit O'Rourke for a boundary just before the hosts erased the deficit.

Sarfaraz mastered the runs and helped India pass 400 runs before departing, but Pant continued the carnage with some meaty knocks, including a daring six off Southee, only to fail when he played one at his stumps against the run of play .