Mumbai: Mayank Agarwal(120*) came out fighting as his unbeaten ton helped India post a comfortable 221/4 despite facing a little middle-order collapse against New Zealand on Day 1 of the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.
The Star Indian opener is now at the crease alongside the gritty Wriddhiman Saha(25*). The day had a peculiar turnaround as Kiwi Spinner Ajaz Patel(4/73) ran havoc bagging all the wicket s in quick succession despite steady start by openers Mayank and Subhman Gill(44).
The young Indian batter was looking good from start and even helped India accelerate a bit at the start when he smashed Kiwi seamer Kyle Jamieson for a trio of boundaries in the same over. However, he found himself at the at hands Ross Taylor off Ajaz Patel after playing a handy knock stitching a 80 run stand after a late resumption of the play on the opening day.
Lefty spinner Patel then caught the two big fishes packing Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli for home in the same over pushing India back to the wall although the dismissal of the India skipper had made controversy with his LBW out decision getting retained after the third umpire was unable to find conclusive evidence and the mercurial superstar was made to walk towards his dressing room based on the on-field decision.
Last match’s Shreyas Iyer(18) did put on a 80 run stand as well with Agarwal although the former didn’t much of contribution at his home ground with Ajaz being the man again to dismiss the local the boy. Agarwal on the other hand, as if rode on a different route as he batted throughout the day bringing up his century with ease late in the day while sticking together with Wriddhiman(25*) till the end of the play.
Brief Scores: India 221/4 (Mayank Agarwal 120*, Subhman Gill 44; Ajaz Patel 4/73). Match to continue
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