India opener Mayank Agarwal on Sunday (December 26) said visiting batters applied themselves as per the team plan on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion.
Opting to bat, India posted 272/3 at stumps on Day 1. Vice-captain KL Rahul starred with the bat, remaining not out on 122 while his partner Agarwal contributed 60.
Ajinkya Rahane, who was struggling for form, also looked in good touch as he returned with 40 not out at the close of play whereas skipper Virat Kohli played well for his 35.
See Also: Cricket fraternity lauds KL Rahul’s 122* as India ends day one on 272/3 in Centurion Test
“The plan was to be very disciplined, to play balls which come around the stump and leave as many as possible. We could do just that,” Mayank said at the press conference after the day’s play.
“At 272 for 3, it is credit to our batting unit, we applied ourselves. The plan is those who get set will have to continue and Rahul bhai did that.”
Besides KL Rahul’s century, the highlight of the day for India was the partnerships. Rahul put on 117 runs for the opening wicket with Agarwal and followed it up with 82-run stand with Kohli and then an unbroken 73-run partnership with Rahane.
“The highlight as a team was Rahul getting a hundred. We had partnerships and that was crucial. He had a partnership first up with me, and Virat bhai had it also and then with Rahane. I hope they continue the same,” Mayank said.
When asked what would be the ideal total that the tourists would be looking for, he replied, “We want to score as many as we can to place ourselves in a very good position. The first hour (tomorrow) will be crucial. If we do well in that period, we can pile pressure (on South Africans).
“There was a bit of moisture early on and we could see some balls skidding but it got better as day progressed and got quicker.”
Commenting on new coach Rahul Dravid’s impact on the team, Mayank Agarwal said: “The conversation of the players with him was about playing with discipline. When you play in South Africa and other countries, it is not necessary to look good (to win matches). You have to stick to plan and wait for opportunities. We are glad that we could do that in the first session.”
Agarwal refused to comment on his LBW dismissal following a DRS call.
“I am not allowed to give my opinion and so I want to leave it at that. Otherwise, I will be in bad books and my money (match fee) could be docked.”
(With PTI inputs)
