New Delhi:
Mayank Agarwal smashed his maiden Test century and joined Rohit Sharma in piling on the agony for South Africa on day 2 of the Vizag Test on Thursday. Agarwal, who had hit three fifties before this match, gave Rohit superb company by notchig up his own personal landmark. It was tough work for Agarwal on the second day as he had to content with plenty of deliveries staying low. At the other end, Rohit was in great touch and he continued from where he left off from yesterday, smashing a couple of boundaries.
The South African bowlers bowled with plenty of discipline to Agarwal and the batsman had to work hard to get his runs. The Karnataka right-hander primarily dealt in singles and couples and on 94, he almost ran out Rohit Sharma but the bowler, Maharaj, could not whip the bails off in time. Agarwal moved closer to his ton by running a quicker ball outside off to the third man fence to move to 98.
Agarwal notched upo his hundred in comical style. On 99, he drove a flighted ball from Keshav Maharaj to extra cover but the fielder misfielded. Agarwal thought about a run but he was sent back by Rohit. However, on the very next ball, Agarwal steered a flatter delivery to backward point and hared across for the single. Agarwal was emotional and he got a big hug from Rohit Sharma as India had found an opener who was solid and had the application necessary to survive in international cricket.
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Agarwal, who had a fantastic run in domestic cricket in the 2016 and 2017 period, got a chance to feature in the Indian cricket team during the series against Australia. Agarwal weathered the new ball on a sluggish pitch in Melbourne and smashed 76. His knock gave India the platform for a famous win after 37 years at the MCG. In the following Test in Sydney, Agarwal hammered 77 and looked good for a century but he played a poor shot and holed out to long on. However, India won the series 2-1.
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On a seaming wicket in Antigua against the West Indies, Agarwal chipped in with 55 after a solid series against West Indies A. This century will only boost his standing in the Indian cricket team as they look to secure a solid opening combination.
