Rahane thanks Dravid, Tendulkar after maiden Test ton

India's Ajinkya Rahane thanked Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar after recording his maiden Test century against New Zealand on Saturday. Rahane's knock of 118 off 158 balls, in his fifth Test match, helped India into the ascendancy as they closed their first innings on 438. With Peter Fulton (one) then bowled lbw by Zaheer Khan in the second over of the hosts' second innings, India lead by 222 runs after day two of Test two in Wellington, with Rahane revealing that the guidance of legendary Indian batsmen Dravid and Tendulkar played an important role in his development. "I have been following him (Dravid) from my childhood. He is my role model and I have played with him in the Indian team and also with Rajasthan Royals. I learned a lot, on and off the field and just want to thank Rahul bhai," Rahane said. "Also Sachin paaji, because during his last two Test matches he told me about my batting. "He said: 'I have been following you, your hard work, fitness, how you have conducted yourself. Be the same and your chance will surely come.' So thanks to both of them." New Zealand's BJ Watling does not feel the second Test is yet beyond his side, stating the pitch in Wellington could be turning in the hosts' favour. However, he too paid tribute to the batting of Rahane and India captain MS Dhoni, after they put on a partnership of 116 to take India from 228-6 to 348-7. "Obviously, it is a disappointing result in the end but we have still got three days to grind it out here and the track has definitely looked a lot better to bat on today. It wasn't swinging or seaming as much as it did on day one," he explained. "Credit must go their batters. (Shikhar) Dhawan (who made 98) obviously played really well at the top and got them off to a good start and Rahane's hundred was pretty good. "He played very well. But Dhoni's counter-attack hurt us and that partnership (with Rahane) was probably the difference between an okay day and a good day for them."