Rohit Sharma's Presence In The Middle Helped Mayank Agarwal, Says Childhood Coach

Team India opener Mayank Agarwal has made the most of the opportunity when he received an emergency call-up during the Australia tour. He came into the team after failures from KL Rahul and Murali Vijay and scored a fine 76 in the Melbourne Test and then 77 in Sydney. However, the disappoint of the missing out on the century was there and he has fulfilled it in his first home Test.

Mayank made the most of the opportunity in Visakhapatnam only in his fifth Test. He scored a brilliant 215 in the first innings including 23 boundaries and six towering sixes. He also became the fourth Indian batsmen to convert his maiden century into a double hundred.

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Mayank Agarwal’s coach Muralidhar was glued to the TV to watch his ward dominate the South African bowlers. Speaking to Timesofindia.com.in, Muralidhar said that he loved Mayank’s reaction after the double century and revealed that his student was keen to convert the hundred.

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“After the double century, he went to the pavilion and called his coach, saying, ‘coach… did you watch it?’ I said I was glued to the TV screen and loved your reaction (celebration) after the double ton.’ It was a different Mayank altogether. He wanted to convert his century into a double hundred,” Muralidhar said.

India came out with a revamped opening pair in Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. They added 317 runs for the first wicket shattering many records in the way to help India get to a massive total. Muralidhar feels having Rohit beside, things looked easy for Mayank.

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“Mayank opening with Rohit was a blessing for him. Mayank is lucky that he got to open with a legend (Rohit) on the other end. Rohit made batting look so simple. Rohit was discussing things with Mayank in the middle and kept pushing him. He was guiding and giving him confidence. I could see how Rohit was rotating the strike with Mayank. His on-field tips helped Mayank really well. Rohit’s presence in the middle a major help.” Muralidhar concluded.

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