New Delhi:
Mayank Agarwal continued his superb form as an opener in the Indian cricket team as he slammed his third century to put India on top against Bangladesh on day 2 of the Indore Test against Bangladesh at the Holkar stadium. Agarwal's knock has helped India take the lead and they recovered from a poor start on day 2 when they lost Cheteshwar Pujara for 54 and skipper Virat Kohli for a two-ball duck. Abu Jayed was the chief destroyer when he took all the wickets to fall but Agarwal was like a pillar at the other end and his concentration was unwavering.
After the cheap dismissal of Rohit Sharma, Agarwal played second fiddle to Pujara who took the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers. Agarwal gave Pujara solid support and he opened up as stumps approached with a couple of boundaries off Taijul Islam and Ebadot Hossain. Agarwal benefited from a dropped catch by Imrul Kayes off the bowling of Jayed and he added salt to the wound with a boundary in the same over.
On the second day, Pujara notched up his fifty by slamming two boundaries but fell for 54 as he edged to gully. India suffered a blow when Kohli was trapped LBW for a two-ball duck by Jayed but Agarwal continued on his merry ways. A flick to long leg and a pull to deep midwicket off Ebadot helped him reach fifty and he gained in confidence. Agarwal continued to punish anything that was short and he was given superb support by Ajinkya Rahane.
Agarwal took a liking to Mehidy Hasan's bowling as he hit him for a couple of boundaries and a six to help him near his ton. However, on 82, he had a massive scare as he missed a sweep and was hit on the pad. Umpire Marais Erasmus gave him out and he opted for the review. Replays showed no bat but the ball was missing leg stump and he batted cautiously as India neared the lunch break.
The Karnataka right-hander started off the post-lunch session in style by slamming Mehidy Hasan to the deep midwicket fence and he reached 99 by driving Ebadot Hossain straight down the ground to the long off fence. He notched up his century by tucking Ebadot to the on side for a couple and he raised his arms in jubilation.
During the Vizag Test, Agarwal and Rohit punished the South Africans on a placid track and India looked set to amass a big total. However, at the stroke of lunch, Rohit fell for 176 and the opening partnership ended at 317. Rohit's first Test innings yielded 177 against West Indies in Kolkata in 2013 while his first Test innings as an opener yielded 176.
Also Read | Mayank Agarwal Blasts Maiden Double Ton, India On Top Vs South Africa
However, the duo of Rohit and Agarwal smashed some opening records. Their tally of 317 runs is the 12th highest in the history of Test cricket and the third best by an Indian pair. The highest opening stand is 415 and it was achieved in 2008 by Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith against Bangladesh in Chattogram. The highest Indian opening stand is 413 by Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy against New Zealand in Chennai in 1956. The second-highest is 410 by Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag against Pakistan in Lahore in 2006.
