IND vs NZ Live: Mayank Agarwal on Friday brought up his fourth Test hundred while batting on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and ended over a decade old drought. Follow IND vs NZ 2nd Test Live at InsideSport.IN.
IND vs NZ Live: Mayank Agarwal first Indian to score home Test hundred against New Zealand in over a decade
The last time an Indian opener scored a hundred against the Kiwis at home was in Ahmedabad in 2010. Virender Sehwag had fired 173 runs off just 199 balls against a Daniel Vettori-led New Zealand team which managed to draw the Test after centuries from Jesse Rider and Kane Williamson.
In fact, the 196-ball hundred from the Karnataka star was also first hundred by an Indian opener against New Zealand since Shikhar Dhawan’s 115 at Auckland in 2014.
Interestingly, Mayank Agarwal has smashed four hundreds in the longest format – all at home, and all his four fifties in Test cricket has come while batting outside India. The last time the 30-year-old scored a hundred was in November 2019 against Bangladesh.
Earlier, in the match India won the match after a delayed start and opted to bat first. Mayank and Shubman Gill stitched a 80-run partnership before the latter departed. Cheteshwar Pujara (0) walked in next but was undine by Ajaz Patel, who dismissed Virat Kohli also for a duck in the same over.
However, Mayank Agarwal stood rock solid from one end and helped India end Day 1 at 211/4.
Agarwal, who was recently retained by Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the price of Rs 14 crore, celebrated late but in style. He was swift with his footwork and pounced on any loose delivery from the Kiwi bowlers.
His epic comeback knock was studded with 13 fours and 3 sixes. He reached to the milestone with a glorious cover drive off pacer Daryl Mitchel. A thrilled Mayank jumped in air and roared in delight as everyone including coach Rahul Dravid at the Wankhede stood on their feet and applauded. A long hug between him and Wriddhiman Saha followed.
IND vs NZ Live: Mayank Agarwal first Indian to score home Test hundred against New Zealand in over a decade
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