Indian opener Mayank Agarwal, who has been out of the national team for nearly three years, reminded everyone of his class with a blistering knock in England County Championship. Playing for Yorkshire against Durham at Headingley, the 34-year-old produced a sensational innings of 175 runs off 195 balls, marking his first century in county cricket.
Coming in at a tricky stage when Yorkshire had lost an early wicket with just 9 runs on the board, Agarwal steadied the innings and then went on to dominate the Durham attack. He reached his half-century with a six and later brought up his century in style, once again clearing the ropes against Afghan leg-spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari.
In total, Agarwal struck 20 fours and 5 sixes, with a remarkable statistic showing that 100 of his runs came from just 24 deliveries through boundaries alone. His knock gave Yorkshire the backbone they needed, as the team ended Day 3 on 314/5, replying strongly to Durham’s first-innings total of 346.
Mayank Agarwal making his first Headingley appearance count 💙 pic.twitter.com/tBkxTvDavB
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) September 25, 2025
For Agarwal, this innings is a statement. Once a regular in India’s Test squad, he last played for the national team in March 2022 against Sri Lanka. Since then, inconsistent form saw him drop out of contention. However, this performance proves that he still has the hunger and ability to score big at the highest level.
His effort at Headingley was also his 19th first-class century, adding to an already impressive domestic record. In first-class cricket, he has now amassed more than 8,200 runs with 19 centuries and 44 fifties, maintaining an average in the mid-40s.
Test Career with India
Agarwal made his Test debut against Australia in 2018 and quickly established himself as a reliable top-order batter. In his 21 Test appearances for India, he scored 1,488 runs at an average of 41.33, including 4 centuries and 6 half-centuries. His highest Test score remains a triple century (304) in domestic cricket, underlining his appetite for long innings.
Mayank Agarwal century for Yorkshire against Durham is more than just runs on the board—it’s a strong reminder of his talent and resilience. For a player sidelined from international cricket for three years, this knock could reignite hopes of a return, while also giving Yorkshire fans a memorable performance to cherish.
