Indian opener Mayank Agarwal has had a dream Test debut at home, as he ended up scoring 215 to become the 23rd Indian to score a double century in Test cricket, in the ongoing 1st Test against South Africa in Vizag.
Having handed the responsibility to open the innings for India with Rohit Sharma, who also made his debut as Test opener and went on to score 176, the Karnataka batsman made the most of the opportunity.
The right-hander, who brilliantly converted his start to three figures for the first time in his international career, revealed his nervousness before scoring his maiden Test ton in Vizag to teammate Ajinkya Rahane after the Day 2 play against South Africa.
Read Also: "So proud of you my brother", KL Rahul lauds Mayank Agarwal on his scintillating double ton
He also spoke about the team’s gameplan on the opening day of the ongoing Vizag Test, saying their aim was to negate the opening spell by Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada with the first new ball before they spread their wings in the game.
Agarwal told Rahane in an interview for BCCI.tv, “In the first session (on day 1), the ball was moving a bit. Our gameplan was not to give them a wicket with the first new ball. They brought in spinners after 10-12 overs and then we planned to play positively.”
The 28-year-old was batting on 84 on day 1 when the rain forced to stop the play after 30.5 overs. The opener further added that he was nervous when he reached 70, as he lost his wicket twice on this number, thus he woke up a bit early on Day 2 with the thoughts of making the first Test century in Vizag.
He explained, “I was nervous when I reached 70. I have been dismissed in the 70s twice in Australia. This time I had thought that I will convert 70 into 100. I also had a chat with Ravi (Shastri) sir. He told me to convert the start into a big one and to make it count.”
Here is the video:
Agarwal signed off by saying, “I was on 84 when the rain came and I woke up a bit early (on day 2). The thoughts of scoring my first hundred were in my mind. I was very cautious, nervous. I would be lying if I say I wasn’t. And then after the 100, personal milestones got away. Then they took the second new ball and my target was not to lose wicket against it. Very very happy with the way innings panned out. Yes, it was hot out there but I cannot complain about that.”
(With BCCI Inputs)
