Cricketing experts have their say on Mayank Agarwal's batting stance

The first two Tests against Australia have not exactly gone the way Mayank Agarwal would have desired. The opener has failed to rise up to the occasion and in all the four innings that he has batted in this series so far, Agarwal could score only a combined 31 runs. Also, the right-hander has failed to cross the 20-run mark in all the four innings that he has played in this series.

Experts are of the view that the opener is struggling with deliveries that are coming into his body. The fiery Australian pace attack, consisting of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood have exploited this weakness in the Indian opener. While in the first innings of the Adelaide Test, Agarwal had his stumps cleaned up by an incoming ripper from Pat Cummins, in the first innings of the second Test too, Agarwal was caught dead in front of the stumps by an incoming missile from Mitchell Starc.

And surely, Agarwal would not be happy with his returns in the series thus far. Also, there have been talks about Agarwal’s stance in the Test series and how it has affected his batting. Former Indian opener and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is of the view that Agarwal’s new stance is limiting his options on the backfoot.

Gavaskar and Deep Dasgupta react

“His new stance is giving him less options on the backfoot, something that he cannot do on Australian pitches”, opined Gavaskar to an Australian channel.

Gavaskar further added that Agarwal could adopt a more open stance when he is facing the left-arm angle of Mitchell Starc.

“It can help him cover for that movement inside from the left-arm pacer”, said Gavaskar.

Deep Dasgupta also feels that Agarwal could get his wrists closer to his body which can help him get to the delivery faster.

“It happened to me once too and it needs to be worked on. He can probably bring his wrists closer so that he can get to the ball quicker,” revealed Dasgupta to Times of India.

Agarwal should understand that he does not have much time left to impress the selectors. And, with Rohit Sharma back again in the squad, it remains to be seen if Sharma will open the batting in the third Test or will find a place in the middle order. If Agarwal gets a chance in the New Year’s Test at Sydney, he should certainly get back amongst the runs.

That wouldn’t be such an easy task though. The Aussies will be baying for his blood, and it will be interesting to see how Agarwal responds to them.