IND vs BAN | Grateful for the start I've got in Test cricket, states Mayank Agarwal
Man of the Match for his 243 — courtesy of which India won the first Test — Mayank Agarwal has revealed that he's grateful for the impeccable start he's got in Test cricket. Agarwal, who practised under lights at the NCA last week, is also looking forward to taking on the pink ball challenge.
After being thrown into the mix against Australia because of an injury to Prithvi Shaw, Agarwal held his own Down Under. Then, he was called up to England midway through the World Cup but was unused. He had an okay-ish outing in the tour of West Indies, but boy did Agarwal not strike gold partnering up with Rohit Sharma against the Proteas.
The Karnataka man picked up things right where he left against the Proteas and scored a stunning, match-winning 243 in the first Test in Indore against Bangladesh to seal an innings victory for the team. As do so many Indian fans — and cricket fans, in general — the 28-year-old hopes the sun doesn’t stop shining on him anytime soon.
“I hope the smiles continue for longer and longer. It's a dream come true for me to represent the country. I am very glad for the start that I got. I do practise six-hitting but not during the Tests.” Agarwal said at the post-match presentation, reported Cricbuzz.
As Agarwal eased his way past one milestone after another, his skipper Virat Kohli — a run machine himself — kept pushing him on from the dressing room.
“It's great to have somebody like Virat who can motivate you like that. When I got my first 150, Virat was at the other end and he told me that nothing short of 200 would do,” Agarwal said.
With scores of 215, 7, 108, 10, and 243 in his last five innings in the longest format, Agarwal will look to carry forward his confidence as India play their first-ever day-night Test match in the second match against Bangladesh from November 22.
“We played three sessions under lights back in Bangalore. Rahul Dravid had arranged that for us. It was a good experience. Looking forward to playing the pink ball Test match,” Agarwal added.
