IND vs SA | Glad that I could make my maiden hundred into a double, asserts Mayank Agarwal
After scoring a stunning 215 against South Africa in Vizag yesterday, Mayank Agarwal has asserted that he was happy to convert his maiden Test century into a double-ton. Agarwal has also added that Rohit Sharma was pretty good at the other end, which made his job a lot easier to lay the foundation.
Playing the first home Test of his career, Mayank Agarwal rose to the occasion to score his maiden century before converting that into a historic double - the first by an Indian opener in this decade. Most of his 215 runs seemed risk-free, even though he tried to negotiate the pace off the surface with Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander bowling with panache with the new ball.
There was a sense of certainty in the shots he played, how he executed them, and the flawless ton was sure to bring some smile on the Karnataka opener's face.
"I am extremely happy. It is a feeling I can't describe. Glad that I could make my maiden hundred into a double. I am happy with the way I played, I am batting well and if we can keep batting together like this upfront, it will be great for the team. If Rohit and I can keep contributing to make 450-500 every time, it will be very tough for the opposition.
"I would be lying to say that you only have to think about your own game. At times you feel that you are playing well and I can take a chance, but that's not how it works. You have to be patient. We had a great partnership to lay the foundation and get to 300 runs," Agarwal said in the post-match presentation ceremony, reported Cricbuzz.
Agarwal's partner at the other end, the very experienced Rohit Sharma was playing his first Test as an opener but silenced many critics with his fourth Test hundred. It played out to a familiar ODI template - cautious at the start and free-flowing thereafter - not least, it had helped him score not one but three ODI double tons.
It was aesthetically pleasing, and also skilful while countering two of modern-day cricket's great pacers Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander. Agarwal is all praise for Rohit's ton and said that the way he dominated the spinners was great to see.
"The way he (Rohit) dominated the spinners was great to see. Initially, the pitch did do a bit with the new ball but when the sun came down it got better and better. As we approached lunch on day two, the ball started keeping low. It started spinning by tea and it is great signs for us."
Comments
Leave a comment0 Comments