The Indian opener, Mayank Agarwal has scored his 4th Test century and it was indeed a special one for him. He was negotiating the New Zealand bowlers brilliantly in the ongoing second Test and brought up a sparkling ton. Notably, the track at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was constantly favoring the spinners. Nonetheless, Mayank embraced the challenge with his consistent batting and reached the three-figure mark.
This was definitely a much-awaited ton for the opener as Mayank Agarwal had lost his place in India’s first-choice playing XI to Shubman Gill during the Australia tour earlier this year. As Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are not featuring in this series, Mayank got a chance to open and he didn’t miss out on making a mark as he registered scores of 13 and 17 in the drawn affair in Kanpur.
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In fact, many even expected him to warm the benches in the Mumbai Test with regular skipper Virat Kohli coming back after a break. However, the team management continued with Agarwal and the latter didn’t disappoint. Coming to the proceedings of his knock, Agarwal opened the innings alongside Shubman Gill after India opted to bat first. As the game was delayed due to rain, the track was damp and the ball was sticking onto the surface after landing.
Hence, batting wasn’t really easy. However, the two Indian openers added 80 runs for the first wicket. However, things changed after Gill perished for 44. Big guns like Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were dismissed on ducks as the Kiwis were back in the contest in no time. Even Shreyas Iyer, who slammed a century in the last game, got out for 18.
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However, Mayank Agarwal’s concentration remained intact as he went on to slam a sensational century. Meanwhile, Agarwal still has some work to do if India is eyeing a solid first-innings total. It must be noted that a couple of the opener’s previous three Test centuries were converted into double tons. Hence, Agarwal won’t mind getting the landmark yet again.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the century of Mayank Agarwal:
Welcome back @mayankcricket 👊🏻😁 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/VkiKeVoe2f
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) 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
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 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
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
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
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
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'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
