With a dazzling double ton, Mayank Agarwal proved that he is the man for opening batsmen connundrum for India’s Test cricket. He became the fourth Indian to transform his maiden Test century to a double ton.
In spite of being a stellar run-scorer for his domestic side Karnataka, Mayank was a lesser known personality in Indian cricket till last year. The right-handed batsman made his debut against Australia in December 2018. After a successful short sting in Australia, Mayank resumed his role of opening the innings in the West Indies tour as well. However, the batsman had an average show in the Caribbean, scoring just one half-century in two Tests.
Be it first-class cricket, List A games or IPL, the 28-year-old has been in the headlines everywhere for his effortless batting. Do you think he is the right man India has found as an opening batsman?!
No doubt, Mayank Agarwal has been knocking the doors to get into the squad from a long time. He’s proved himself in the Ranji trophy by scoring more than a thousand runs in one month in 2017 and has taken a very little time to stand up as an opening batsmen, however the partners at the other end have been changing on regular intervals.
But,in this match against South Africa he got down to business straight away with Rohit Sharma at the other end who returned to test cricket after a very long time. There was clear pressure on the opening pair that they needed to score runs in the home game and they rightfully did so. Mayank stood at the crease like a wall and took his time to know the turning pitch. Gave Rohit Sharma his space and kept rotating strikes.
What attracted more was the way he converted his maiden test century to a double ton. This was the first double century for an Indian opener in Test cricket since Virender Sehwag’s 293 against Sri Lanka in 2009/10 and boy that was pure class. He looks to be in the right mind frame but what he has to now prove is his consistency. That’ll solve the problem of India’s test opening pair.
Mayank Agarwal proved to be a prolific opening batsman striking not just his first test hundred but a double. This was an outstanding achievement for a batsman in only his fifth Test match to show such authority, that too in humid Vizag weather while putting the bowlers under pressure.
Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal can be a lethal opening pair if we continue to see them deliver consistently.
Mayank in fact was a right answer for some time now. His chance actually was overdue. Right now Mayank & Shaw (Unfortunately under suspension) are the default opening pair for me in both ODI+Test.
A few weeks back, I had mentioned in a post here that Rohit should move to middle order to take more responsibility in One Dayers and Mayank should open. Mayank gives sability at the start. His List A record has good average with excellent strike rate. A undeniable combo. Rohit also gives meat to the middle order. But current management has now made Rohit opener in Tests too.
This means 2 things…
Entry of Mayank dificult in ODIs. He may get a chance to open with Rohit, but it will mean exit of Dhawn/Shaw/Rahul. Another option is for Kohli to move to No 4 and Mayank can be at 3, not a bad move. But Kohli/Rohit don’t seem willing to move and right now nobody is strong enough to force them!
No Entry for Shaw in Tests on completion of suspension.
Mayank, (Shaw/Rahul/Dhawan), Kohli, Rohit, Pant, (Rahul/Pandey/Aiyer), Pandya would make fearsome line up.
