IND vs SA: From roommates, best friends to Indian openers, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal look to continue partnership in Boxing Day Test – Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul will continue their partnership for Team India, with the two stars set to open for India against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test. Mayank and KL have long known each other right from their age group days, and have previously opened together for Karnataka and Punjab Kings. The duo will hope to continue their successes in India colours, and the team will be counting on him to deliver in Centurion. Follow Insidesport.in for all IND vs SA LIVE Updates.
IND vs SA: From roommates, best friends to Indian openers, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal look to continue partnership in Boxing Day Test
KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal first opened for India together in Sydney in 2019. Almost two years later, the duo return to the top of the order, as they prepare to face off against South Africa at Centurion. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have both had ups and downs in the past couple of years but are now re-united at the top by fate.
While Mayank Agarwal was popular among the two in the early days due to his IPL exploits, it was KL Rahul who soared to success, making his debut in 2014 for India. Rahul continued to impress across all formats and was a regular in the side, while Agarwal had to grind in the domestic circuit to discover his best version.
A special duo 🤝🏻
A special feature 🎥
Coming soon on https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ 😃
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 😉#TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/g2RkneyGBR
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 23, 2021
During his years in the wilderness, Agarwal has previously spoken about how KL Rahul, his best friend, kept him motivated. Agarwal eventually made his debut for India after Rahul lost favour in 2019 and made a startling start to his career. Rahul eventually wrestled the spot back, and now in the absence of Rohit Sharma will be the vice-captain.
IND vs SA: From roommates, best friends to Indian openers, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal look to continue partnership in Boxing Day Test
After Mayank had got his Test cap, Kl Rahul tweeted congratulations, despite his best friend replacing in the side. Rahul had tweeted, “Seeing my Best Friend getting his cap and debuting for the country makes me so happy and Proud today. Upwards and Onwards, my brother, you’re just getting started Monkus.”
Seeing my Best Friend getting his cap and debuting for the Country makes me so Happy and Proud today. 👑🤗
Upwards and Onwards my brother, you’re just getting started Monkus. 💪🏽 @mayankcricket#295 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/r9n61VRewB
— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) December 26, 2018
Such has been their friendship that it was Rahul, who was the best man at Mayank Agarwal’s wedding, accompanying the groom to the chariot and then posted a selfie with an under-script: “Bromance boys. Lucky to have a friend like you.”
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KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have been teammates at the Punjab Kings, with KL being the captain while Mayank deputising at times in his absence. The duo have handled the run-scoring burden for Punjab, and it is in part due to their superb relations off the pitch. Agarwal has previously stated, “Well, KL Rahul is terrific and it is amazing to be playing with him. This is the fourth year that we would be playing for Punjab and it is really nice. We understand each other’s game, we gel really well. That communication on the field becomes a lot easier because of the friendship we have.”
IND vs SA: From roommates, best friends to Indian openers, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal look to continue partnership in Boxing Day Test