Disciplined gameplans, low backlift in opposition to swing: Rahul & Mayank’s recipe for first session success

Mayank Agarwal has witnessed KL Rahul’s resurrection as a Test batsman at shut quarters. Not solely did he share a 117-run opening partnership with Rahul on the primary day of the primary Test in opposition to South Africa at Centurion on Sunday, however over the past one 12 months, the 2 Karnataka team-mates have skilled collectively and turned out for Punjab Kings within the IPL.
Agarwal scored an enterprising half-century at this time, however Rahul reached three-figures and remained unbeaten on the finish of the day’s play. The latter has been a revelation as a long-form batsman ever since his return to the Test fold in England earlier this 12 months. So what has Rahul executed behind the scenes?
His opening accomplice was requested this query on the post-day press convention and Agarwal was coy to start out with, earlier than providing some technical perception into Rahul’s batting. “Well, that’s a question you should ask him,” he mentioned earlier than elaborating a bit. “As someone who is watching him closely, he (Rahul) really understands where his off stump is. He is really getting to the line of the ball and he is leaving very well. And he is very disciplined with his gameplans and mindset. He is looking to bat sessions and he is looking to bat through, whenever he gets set.”

Stumps on Day 1 of the first Test.
A superb ton from @klrahul11 as #StaffIndia finish the primary day on 272/3.
Scorecard – https://t.co/eoM8MqSQgO #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/WwXgVoZd9B
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2021
Traditionally, Centurion hasn’t been sort to Indian openers and when India batted first in overcast circumstances, self-discipline needed to be the important thing. “To be honest, the plan was to be very disciplined, play the balls that were on the stumps and try and leave as many balls as possible. And I’m glad that we could do just that. We had great centre-wicket practice (coming into the game) and you could really get a feel of the situations and conditions,” Agarwal mentioned.

📸📸 💯@klrahul11
pic courtesy – CSA pic.twitter.com/mm98BjErTI
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2021
Rahul Dravid has a improbable report as a batsman in South Africa and the message from the top coach was to be disciplined. “He was very clear. He said that, ‘when you are playing in South Africa, it’s not about looking good or not looking good. It’s about sticking to your plan and waiting for your opportunities to score’. We were thinking around those lines and I’m glad that we could do well in the first session,” mentioned the opener whose half-century got here on the heels of his 150 in opposition to New Zealand at Wankhede.

A sixth Test half-century for Mayank Agarwal 👏
Watch #SAvIND reside on https://t.co/CPDKNx77KV (in choose areas) 📺#WTC23 pic.twitter.com/zUsU7Y1EV7
— ICC (@ICC) December 26, 2021
With Rohit Sharma accessible, Agarwal wouldn’t have performed on this recreation. But in circumstances that aided the seamers to start out with, the 2 Indian openers confirmed critical utility. Agarwal but once more adopted Sunil Gavaskar’s recommendation in toto, retaining a low backlift in opposition to the swinging ball. “There was a bit of moisture on the wicket early on and that’s why we could see a few balls kicking off a length. It’s just got a little better to bat on as the day progressed and it got a little quicker,” mentioned Agarwal.

A nice 50-run partnership comes up between #StaffIndia openers – @mayankcricket & @klrahul11 💪💪#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/4KjYE2nhqL
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2021
Leg-before debate
On 60, Agarwal was given out leg-before through DRS, which overturned on-field umpire Marius Erasmus’ determination. Ball-tracking took a while to look on TV and when it did, it confirmed that the ball was clipping high of the stumps. The umpire’s name, although, wasn’t made accessible. Agarwal was struck excessive on the pad however Erasmus needed to change his determination. The batsman left the sector visibly sad, muttering one thing beneath his breath.
At the press convention, Agarwal opted for warning. “Well, to be honest, I’m not allowed to express my opinion on it. And I would leave it at that unless I want to be in the bad books and get my money (match fee) docked.”