Team India’s stylish opener Mayank Agarwal made a solid return to form with a century and a half-century across the two innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
The first two days of the Mumbai Test were all about Mayank Agarwal’s sheer dominance with the bat. He was the only batter who could tackle the lethal deliveries of Ajaz Patel, who picked all the 10-wickets in an inning. The opener continued with his terrific home record and slammed 150 runs in the first innings of the Test match, taking team India to a competitive score of 325 runs. Mayank returned again with his brilliant form as he played a crucial knock of 62 runs in the second innings of the game.
Mayank Agarwal into the Honours Board at the Wankhede. pic.twitter.com/ZroRaVS8gT
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 6, 2021
This was Mayank’s fourth Test ton and first 50+ score in 10 innings. Prior to this innings, there were significant speculations over his place in the Test squad ahead of the game in Mumbai, however, Agarwal silenced everyone with his bat. After team India won the series, he was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant show with the bat.
On receiving the award, Mayank Agarwal expressed how this knock is special to him. He also revealed how the advice of Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar helped him in regaining his form. He revealed:
“It feels good to be back among the runs and this knock is special for me. I didn’t change anything from Kanpur, I just had the mental discipline and determination. The technique isn’t going to be the best all the time, it won’t guarantee runs, but the will to fight is key.”
He added
“Rahul bhai told me about not thinking of technique mid-series, and told me this is the technique that’s got me runs. Sunny sir said I should keep my bat low early on in the innings and opening up my left shoulder. I didn’t really think about the second hundred in the match, but should have converted the sixty. We will relish the abroad challenge in South Africa, so we’re looking forward to that too.”
Earlier, Mayank also took to Twitter and expressed his emotions on scoring his first Test century. He wrote:
“Grit, Determination & Resilience
A test hundred is always special and this one will remain forever so.”
Here, check out the Tweet:
https://twitter.com/mayankcricket/status/1467488477381943298?s=20
