Ranji Trophy semifinal: Mayank Agarwal battled conditions to hit a brilliant double hundred against Saurashtra on Thursday.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 13:37 IST
Mayank Agarwal hits double hundred to rescue Karnataka in Ranji Trophy semifinal (PTI)
By India Today Web Desk: Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal hit a double century against Saurashtra on Thursday, putting his team in control of the second semifinal of the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium. Agarwal faced the potent Saurashtra attack and battled it out alone for the home side after Karnataka were reduced to 112 for 5 on the first day.
Mayank has been in brilliant form with the bat in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy as his scores across 12 innings read 8, 73, 51, 50, 117, 14, 52*, 10, 208, 20, 83, and 226* (ongoing). He has amassed over 800 runs at an average of 91.60.
Agarwal joined hands with Srinivas Sharath, Karnataka’s second-highest scorer in this innings with 66, to help his side get back into a fighting position. Following Sharath’s departure, the 31-year-old combined with lower-order batter Vidwath Kaverappa to take his side past 350 and himself to the double-century mark.
Agarwal was patient on Day 1 of the semi-final as the bowlers got enough swing and bounce in typical Bengaluru conditions, where seamers call the shots in the first hour. Snell Patel grassed him off Prerak Mankad at the second slip when he was on 13, giving him a reprieve. The opener came into his own once the new ball began to wear.
Agarwal occupied the crease as wickets continued to tumble all around him. Once he focused, his footwork was impeccable against the spinners, and the boundaries came off fearless flicks and cuts as he gained runs on both the leg side and off side. His batting between the wickets was excellent, especially with Sharath.
