Last day it was KL Rahul and today it is Mayank Agarwal. Kings XI Punjab are on a roll as another 150+ opening stand has put them on top against Rajasthan Royals at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Mayank Agarwal put the social on a frenzy with his maiden IPL century of just 45 deliveries.
After a blistering start to IPL 2020 against Delhi Capitals, Mayank had an off-day in business against Royal Challengers Bangalore. But the young batsman from Karnataka is once back and back with a bang.
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Mayank Agarwal registers his first IPL century
Put to bat first by Steve Smith, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal started to fire against a star-studded bowling attack comprising Jofra Archer and Jaydev Unadkat. Many expected Rahul to lead the charge once again but Agarwal launched the onslaught while last match’s centurion played the second fiddle.
Mayank Agarwal dispatched everything at his disposal to lead Punjab front while KL Rahul complimented from the other end. The right-handed batsman played no rash shots during his blistering knock which speaks volume of his talent. Mayank’s knock of 106 from 50 deliveries included 10 boundaries and seven towering sixes all across the park.
He is now the second-fastest Indian to score an IPL century after Yusuf Pathan. The all-rounder achieved the feat in 37 balls during 2010 IPL as compared to Mayank’s 45-ball century.
Meanwhile, the social media was on fire as Mayank Agarwal brought his first IPL century with a boundary. From former cricketers to fans, people showered high praise on the Indian opener.
Here are some of the Twitter reactions:
Kings are playing like Asli Singh’s @lionsdenkxip @mayankcricket what a knock ✊
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 27, 2020
This isn't just slogging. Quality batting. The ground never seemed so small when we were covering cricket there in the 90s!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 27, 2020
Mayank-Rahul: The best opening pair in #IPL2020 #KXIP
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 27, 2020
From being a T20 dasher to becoming a quality test opener to scoring a very classy T20 century, @mayankcricket is showing us such a delightful range to his batting.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 27, 2020
What a spectacular century from Mayank Agarwal! Wow! This has been a batting exhibition from KL and Mayank in Sharjah. #IPL2020 #RRvKXIP
— Kritika Naidu (@Kritzika) September 27, 2020
Mayank Agarwal what a fantastic knock! A 45-ball century. Plays proper cricketing shots. Sensational batting. Already hit 89 v DC but would’ve been disappointed not to finish the game. This has been a top knock. Should he be part of the indian LOI team?@mayankcricket #RRvKXIP
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) September 27, 2020
A 45 ball 100 for Mayank. To back up what he did in the first game. Love his composure and hunger to keep piling on the runs. #KXIP #RRvKXIP
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 27, 2020
Sublime exhibition of stroke-play by @mayankcricket and @klrahul11. The boundary is small, the wicket looks placid, but this is batting of high quality by @lionsdenkxip!#IPL2020 #KXIPvsRR
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) September 27, 2020
Take a bow Mayank, brilliant batting, first IPL 💯 many more to come 👏👏 @mayankcricket @lionsdenkxip #IPL2020 #RRvKXIP
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) September 27, 2020
Although Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul departed, Rajasthan Royals didn’t contain Kings XI Punjab from crossing the 200-run mark. Nicholas Pooran murdered Jofra Archer and Tom Curran is the last two overs to power Punjab to 223 runs – the highest total of the season so far.
It will require a monumental effort from Rajasthan Royals to chase down the target and keep their winning run going.