Mayank Agarwal (L) and Virat Kohli (R). Credit: Twitter
India opener Mayank Agarwal’s appetite for runs makes him a vital cog in the team. Since making his debut in whites back in 2018, the Karnataka-born cricketer has notched up three scores beyond the triple-figure and an equal number of fifties.
Mayank Agarwal. Credit: BCCI
Mayank’s double ton against a hapless South Africa unit made him only the fourth cricketer to convert a maiden hundred into a double hundred. The youngster followed it up with a successive ton in the very next game to cap off a dream series.
Mayank Agarwal’s appetite for daddy hundreds and Kohli’s advice
One major highlight from his knock of 215 at Vizag was skipper Virat Kohli’s gesture towards Mayank while the latter had reached the 150-mark milestone. Getting a 150 and that too being his first was a special feat but Kohli had augured the dasher to go for a daddy double.
Against South Africa when I got a 150, Virat [Kohli] was there at the other end and he said, “Nothing short of a 200 will do. You’re batting well, make sure to not just score for yourself but for your team. The team needs to get a bigger score and it’s important for you to be there to help us get that score at a faster pace.” Maynak said while speaking to ESPN Cricinfo.
Mayank Agarwal. Credit: Getty Image
Mayank said it motivated him to push himself for a bigger goal. He said Kohli had told him the same thing while he was milking the Bangladesh attack not too long back. The 28-year-old hit a stunning double hundred, making it two within a month last year. His 243, courtesy 28 boundaries and eight sixes made him a joy to watch.
“Nothing short of 200 is gonna do, he said. So when I got to 150, it was a reminder from his side that we have spoken about these things. Now you’ve got to go out there and execute because you’re batting well, you’re in the middle, team’s in a good position and the team requires you to take us through to more.” Mayank revealed.
