Mayank Agarwal’s terrific double ton put India on the driver’s seat on the second day of the ongoing Indore Test against Bangladesh. The hosts have taken a giant 343-run lead. At the close of play, Jadeja (60*) and Umesh Yadav (25*) were at the crease.
Mayank batted for almost the entire day and perfectly anchored the innings. After being dropped on 32 by Imrul Kayes off Abu Jyaed late on the first day, the Karnataka batsman caused havoc at the Holkar Stadium.
He eventually notched up his second Test double hundred in a little more than a months' time to underline his credential as an opener in the five-day format. took 304 balls to cross the double hundred mark.
He went on to register his career-best score of 243 from 330 balls with the help of 28 fours and eight sixes. Soon after, as he tried to up the ante by smashing a few more sixes, Agarwal departed as he was caught at deep mid-wicket by Abu Jayed off Mehidy who breathed a sigh of relief thereafter.
After this remarkable outing, Mayank closed the gap on Steve Smith who is the highest run-getter this year. Smith has 774 runs from seven innings while Agarwal has amassed 740 in 10 innings.
Besides Mayank, Ajinkya Rahane (86), Cheteshwar Pujara (54) and Ravindra Jadeja (60 batting) scored half-centuries as the Indian batters toyed with Bangladesh bowlers who lacked the acumen to stop them besides Abu Jayed who returned best figures of 4/108, his career-best.
Earlier, the Indian opener got to 150 in 234 balls and was batting on 156 at tea after scoring his 100 from 183 balls. At the start of the day, he was batting on 37 with Pujara.
Mayank milked the bowlers all around the park and was a treat to watch. Rahane too looked good for a hundred before he was caught by Taijul Islam off Abu Jayed who grabbed his fourth wicket.
Jadeja joined Mayank and the pair stitched a 123-run partnership where both took turns to play aggressively and take on the tiring bowlers. After his dismissal, Jadeja took over to continue his good show with the bat as he got to his 50 in 72 balls. Stumper Wriddhiman Saha (12) was clean-bowled by Ebadat Hossain before Umesh gave the Indian dressing room a lot to cheer about with three sixes.