The Indian team management has touted to have found a reliable opening batsman for their overseas tours as Mayank Agarwal has made the most of the opportunity he got Down Under. However, he credited teammate KL Rahul for a promising start to his international career.
Agarwal opened with Rahul in the last Test at the SCG after being picked in the squad for the Test series against the Windies last year only to remain on the sidelines as Prithvi Shaw got the nod ahead of him and impressed everyone with his flamboyant batting. He explained how statemate Rahul helped him to negate the Australian bowling attack. He also claimed how the bowlers were hostile and he got Rahul’s help on the areas they would pitch the ball in and the tactics they would use to unsettle the batsmen.
As per the quotes in Times Now, Mayank said, “KL spoke to me when we went out for a coffee. He spoke to me, told me things that the Australian attack would look to do and this could be their plan. He identified the areas they would bowl. He gave me an outline of how they would target me. Having played international cricket, he gave me a good clue as to what would happen out at the centre.”
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The Indian team management made a bold move by going for new opening pair mid-way in the series, following an injury to Shaw and dismal performances KL Rahul and Murali Vijay in the first two Tests. As it happened, Agarwal got his opportunity at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on the Boxing Day and he scored 76 on debut from 161 deliveries. He also scored a fifty in the fourth Test at the SCG as India created history by winning their first ever Test series on the Australian soil.
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar felt that “there is a little bit of Sehwag” in Agarwal, who drew the flattering comparison with his aggressive style of play.
Talking about the comparison, the Karnataka batsman said, “Honestly, I am not a fan of comparisons, but he is one of the greats of Indian cricket. I just like to go in the middle, give my best and see what comes out of it. Having said that, if I could do even half of what he (Sehwag) did, I will be happy.”
He did not have a sponsor’s logo on his bat throughout his three innings in Australia but after his exploits, hopes to get one soon. Agarwal also credited the A tour of New Zealand that coincided with the Australia series also helped him in his accidental debut.
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Agarwal elaborated, “Playing in New Zealand did help a lot. It was a tremendous learning experience. The conditions weren’t same but similar to Australia. There was a lot of pace in the wickets and New Zealand A had international bowlers in their line-up. So, it was good that I got to play there before the Australia series.”
Before getting his due, Agarwal was ignored for India selection despite making mountains of runs in domestic cricket and at the A level. Now that he has got his big breakthrough, Agarwal can only feel grateful.
The youngster concluded, “To be honest. I would just like to say that everyone’s journey is different. I cannot compare my journey to somebody else’s . There are things which are beyond your control and I don’t like to focus too much on them. I am just glad and grateful that I have got to represent the country.”
