IND vs SA 1st Test: Rahul Dravid behind India’s strong batting – At Centurion, where India never won a Test match, Team India needed to show resilience against a top pace attack. But the Indian batters, especially KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal made it look easy, taking on Proteas bowling attack with ease, posting 272/3 on Day 1. Mayank said it was Rahul Dravid who had a conversation with the team on how to bat at the venue and that helped. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Mayank Agarwal slammed 60 while KL Rahul hammered unbeaten 122 as India dominated Day 1 of first Test against South Africa. The opening pair of Mayank-KL posted 117 as India built on from the strong start. But it was the ‘art of leaving’ that both perfected and it yielded results.
IND vs SA 1st Test: Mayank Agarwal credits Rahul Dravid for India’s strong batting display on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test
“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,” Mayank Agarwal said at the end of Day 1’s play.
Dean Elgar-led South Africa despite getting favourable conditions with the ball, failed to take any advantage early on. The cloudy sky and the grass on the pitch didn’t help as Proteas had to wait for 40 overs to get a wicket. Mayank Agarwal said it was India’s plan to stick to the wicket and play with discipline.
IND vs SA 1st Test: Mayank Agarwal credits Rahul Dravid for India’s strong batting display on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test
“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 a 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 added.
Also Read: IND vs SA Live: KL Rahul 2.0 continues to impress, hammers first Test century against South Africa
It was Lungi Ngidi who broke the partnership but not without any controversy. Mayank thought the ball was missing the stumps due to height but what could have been the umpire’s call was overturned and he had to depart. Mayank was visibly annoyed with the dismissal but chose not to speak against it.
“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,” Mayank said.
Mayank Agarwal LBW Wicket,
India vs South Africa 1st Test#Wicket#SAvIND #Mayank#Agarwal#Ngidi#Cricket pic.twitter.com/j6ayNJW1RT— Error in Thinking (@Errorinthinking) December 26, 2021
IND vs SA 1st Test: Mayank Agarwal credits Rahul Dravid for India’s strong batting display on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test
When asked about KL Rahul’s knock, Mayank said: “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 added.
IND vs SA 1st Test: Mayank Agarwal credits Rahul Dravid for India’s strong batting display on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test
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