India opener Mayank Agarwal refuses to discuss DRS dimissal
India had a strong opening day to their first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park but at least one of their camp felt aggrieved at stumps.
Agarwal wouldn’t answer when probed by broadcast host Mark Nicholas on his dismissal.
The opener, who was adjudged to be out leg before wicket on DRS review was not pleased when the decision was delivered.
To the naked eye, it looked like Lungi Ngidi had sent down a delivery that was missing the stumps an opinion shared by Agarwal and on-field umpires but hawkeye had other ideas.
Mayank Agarwal refuses to discuss DRS dimissal
“I could get in trouble if I answer that so I think I will just keep my thoughts to myself,” said Agarwal.
Some fans have suggested that there was some sort of DRS malfunction but the umpires correctly applied the rules and the margin for error on Hawkeye tracking is very slight.
Agarwal made 60 and had been the dominant partner in a 117-run opening stand with KL Rahul.
Rahul would go on to post the highest score by an India opener in a Test match in South Africa, and has a chance to add to his 122 having ended the day unbeaten.
Agarwal was granted a life when he was dropped early in the innings denying debutant Marco Jansen a first Test wicket for South Africa.
India are without regular opener Rohit Sharma but the first day’s performance suggests they might not miss the top-ten ranked batter at all.
Rahul and Agarwal were just the fifth Indian pair to get a 50-plus opening partnership for India in Tests in South Africa and the first since 2010.
They are the third pair to put together a century opening stand for India in South Africa, and their efforts set the tone for a strong opening day of the series for the tourists.
Agarwal and Rahul are good friends having struck up a relationship in the ranks of the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, and their pairing could give South Africa some headaches in the Freedom Trophy.
India are in control of the Test after the first day and looking good to end their long wait for a series win in South Africa.