Mayank Agarwal Appreciates Virat Kohli’s Motivation after his Second Double Century

A third consecutive innings victory for India took them  1-0 ahead in the series against Bangladesh. And all the three victories were fostered by big first innings scores. In the last for test matches, Indian openers have scored three double centuries. That two of them were scored by Mayank Agarwal is something he can be proud of.

In the last four test matches, Mayank Agarwal has scored a double hundred and a century against South African and another double century now against Bangladesh.

Mayank managed an admirable strike rate of over 73 in the his innings of 243. Apart from 28 fours, he hit eight sixes in his 330-ball innings. With this, he equalled the record for most number of sixes by an Indian in a single test innings along with Navjot Singh Sidhu.

“I hope the smiles continue for longer and longer. I do practice six-hitting but not during the Tests. It’s a dream come true for me to represent the country,” Mayank said in the post match press conference after receiving the man of the match award.

When Mayank had reached 150, captain Virat Kohli was seen gesturing from the dressing room asking him to go for 200. He very soon reached the double hundred, when the captain again gestured for a triple hundred. The second wish, however was not be seen coming true, as the innings eventually ended at 243 with deserved applause.

Mayank appreciated the motivation from Kohli, saying it would definitely help him to keep going.

“I am very glad for the start that I got. It’s great to have somebody like Virat who can motivate you like that. When I got my first 150, Virat was at the other end and he told me that nothing short of 200 would do.”

He also conceded that the team had practiced playing under lights with the pink ball, which they will have to do in a historic match starting from November 22 at the Eden Gardens.

“We played three sessions under lights back in Bangalore. Rahul Dravid had arranged that for us. It was a good experience. Looking forward to playing the pink ball Test match.”