India’s talented opener Mayank Agarwal ended his two-year wait for a Test hundred as he gave a stunning performance under pressure. The Karnataka batter smashed his fourth Test hundred of his career and it was a special one indeed!
Mayank Agarwal, who last scored his century in November 2019 against Bangladesh in Indore, has had a difficult run in the longest format of the game. The cricketer has been very unlucky as he had to struggle a lot to make it to the playing XI. Last year, the cricketer had to make way for the opening batsman Rohit Sharma midway in the Australia series and later on had to miss England with an injury.
There were questions raised at his place in the playing XI after he failed to contribute much with the bat in the first Test match against New Zealand in Kanpur, with Virat Kohli returning back to the team.
However, Mayank got another opportunity in the ongoing second Test match against the Kiwis and he made most of the opportunity to prove to the selectors that he is good enough to play at the top position for the Indian side as he showed immense fighting spirit and dedication after India suffered a mini-collapse in the middle.
Mayank’s knock came at a very crucial time for the Indian side when wickets were falling continuously from the other end. There was a lot of pressure on the young shoulders of Mayank, after Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara were dismissed for ducks.
However, Mayank didn’t let the pressure get to his head and affect his game. He played a terrific knock and smashed a century off 196 balls. Mayank did not allow the New Zealand spinners to settle down. He stitched brilliant partnerships with Shubman Gill and later with Shreyas Iyer.
Meanwhile, social media has been buzzing with amazing reactions and tweets from the netizens. From cricketers, experts to fans, everyone is applauding the brilliant performance of Mayank Agarwal.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
Welcome back @mayankcricket ??? #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/VkiKeVoe2f
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 3, 2021
Hundred for Mayank Agarwal, what a terrific knock when there was no support from the middle order, he was under lots of pressure but has given a perfect answer with the bat. pic.twitter.com/5gYHBsmVO6
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 3, 2021
This is contagious ?
#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/eRdayyaJoQ
— Unnati Madan (@unnati_madan) December 3, 2021
CENTURY!!
Mayank Agarwal strikes again, well played. ?#IndvsNZtest #Mayank @mayankcricket pic.twitter.com/0CV3nvurTC— Sanjo Sam (@sanjo_sam) December 3, 2021
Mayank Agarwal gets his 4th test century ! ? ? His first against New Zealand and this has been a statement of the highest order.#IndvsNZtest #INDvzNZ #Cricket
— @I’mSebastin (@AdagaleSebastin) December 3, 2021
Well played Mayank Agarwal. His 4th Test 100 in 196 balls, as India approach 200 for the loss of 4 midway through the final session. Ajaz Patel has 4-57 from 24 overs. Live scorecard | https://t.co/tKeqyLOL9D #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/ocvwZuag1X
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 3, 2021
Mayank Agarwal’s celebration says that how much he was waiting for that moment..
Well Deserved 100!!#Mayank #IndvsNZ pic.twitter.com/PFblXErCsb— Geofinn_12? (@12Geofinn) December 3, 2021
Well played Mayank Agarwal ? Just a reminder that team management were planning to drop mayank agarwal from the second test just to accommodate Ajinkya Rahane.#IndvsNZtest
— Nishant verma (@nishantverma589) December 3, 2021
Mayank Agarwal
#IndvsNZtest pic.twitter.com/w79I7OW03r
— See You (@SiyuKiTweet) December 3, 2021
Mayank Agarwal’s Test hundreds :
215 v SA, Vizag 2019
108 v SA, Pune 2019
243 v BAN, Indore 2019
100* v NZ, Mumbai 2021*#INDvzNZ #INDvNZ https://t.co/1tcRfbarJM— Shashikant Singh (@shashi_CB) December 3, 2021
He is always a better option for Opener. Lost his chance in playing XI in the Aus series and he is unlucky to since then. Great innings in this situation. Attack against Spinners
? #IndvsNZtest #MayankAgarwal https://t.co/t3fif9fpQI
— Pugazhendhi S (@iampug155) December 3, 2021
This celebration of Mayank Agarwal is showing how important this Century is. pic.twitter.com/kmc3jKbyMP
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) December 3, 2021
With Rohit & KL Rahul back expecting them to open. It’ll be crucial for Mayank Agarwal to have runs behind him & go to SA. Can he stake a claim in the middle order? Batted in the middle order at Gabba
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 3, 2021
Each of Mayank Agarwal’s four Test hundreds have come at home.
v South Africa, Vizag, 2019
v South Africa, Pune, 2019
v Bangladesh, Indore, 2019
v New Zealand, Mumbai, 2021*#IndvsNZtest— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 3, 2021
Mayank Agarwal in Tests
4 centuries (all at home)
4 fifties (all away from home) – 2 in Aus, 1 each in NZ & WI#IndvNZ #IndvsNZ#NZvInd #NZvsInd— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 3, 2021
This is contagious ?
#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/eRdayyaJoQ
— Unnati Madan (@unnati_madan) December 3, 2021