Team India have been in a good position after the first day of the first Test against South Africa at the SuperSport Park. While they have dominated and posted 272/3 at stumps, opener KL Rahul stole the show with an unbeaten century. Meanwhile, another opener Mayank Agarwal was also seen in good touch and scored a fifty.
However, after the day’s game on Sunday, Mayank said that he had conversations with head coach Rahul Dravid on how to work on plans and be patient while taking on South African pacers on the difficult pitches.
“Well the conversations with Rahul Dravid were about being very disciplined, he was very clear and he said that when you are playing in South Africa and other countries, you will not look very good but it is about sticking to your plan and waiting for the opportunities to score. We were thinking around those lines and I am glad that we could do well in the first session,” said Mayank Agarwal during a virtual press conference.
He continued:
“To be honest the plan was to be very disciplined and try to play the balls that were close to the stumps. The plan was to leave as many balls as possible and I am glad that we could do just that. To be honest, being placed at 272/3 at the end is credit to the batting unit. We really applied ourselves really well, the talk has been that players who get set have to go on. Credit to KL Rahul for the way he has played and he has made sure that he has been part of some good partnerships.”
“He is very disciplined with his game plans and mindset” – Mayank Agarwal on KL Rahul
Mayank Agarwal, who has also scored 60 runs stitched an opening stand of 117 runs along with KL Rahul as well. Meanwhile, the captain Virat Kohli was also looking comfortable in the middle but was unfortunate to get out at 35. He also applauded KL Rahul for his stunning hundred as well.
While talking about his dismissal, Mayank said:
“Well, to be honest, I am not allowed to express my opinion on it and I will leave it at that unless I want to get in the bad books and get my money docked.”
“Someone who has been watching him closely, he really understands where his off-stump his, he is willing to get in the line of the ball. He is very disciplined with his gameplans and mindset. He is looking to bat through whenever he gets set. I think the highlight for the team is Rahul getting a big hundred. We got good partnerships and I hope they continue going on in the match,” Mayank Agarwal concluded.
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