Mayank Agarwal gains confidence with his 81-run knock against New Zealand XI

He was one of India’s top performers in the Test series in Australia in the historic 2018-19 series. Last year, he also slammed a couple of double hundreds, including a career-best 243 against Bangladesh in Indore. However, the talented Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal hasn’t had much to show with the bat in the recent times, be it for the India ‘A’ side in New Zealand or in the recent ODI series in which he made his debut in the limited-overs format.

However, Mayank turned things around on Sunday when he scored a timely 81 (retired out) against New Zealand XI in a practice game in Hamilton ahead of the two-Test series starting February 21. After falling for 3 and 1 in the last two ODIs against New Zealand, the opener could not manage more than 1 run in the first innings of the Hamilton game.

But he more than made up in the second essay and it would be a confidence-booster for the batsman who averages over 67 in just nine Tests he has played so far. Incidentally, Sunday was also Mayank’s birthday and he turned 29.

Mayank Agarwal scripted a good partnership of 72 runs with his opening partner Prithvi Shaw in Hamilton after India secured a first-innings lead of 28 runs. He belted 10 fours and three sixes in his knock before walked back to give other batsmen chance. This knock was crucial for Mayank Agarwal as he is the first choice opener on the tour with either Shaw or Gill to open with him in the first Test.

“It’s been a little different playing here but I want to leave all that behind. Whatever has happened has happened. Yes, I got an 81 in the second innings of this practice game and I want to take this confidence forward into the Test match,” Mayank said after the match, according to an India Today report.

Mayank Agarwal made improvements in batting technique after talking to Rathour

Mayank Agarwal stressed on the technical improvements he has made in his batting after speaking to batting coach Vikram Rathour. “Vikram sir and me, we have sat down and spoken about the areas where we need to improve. Yes, we have worked on it. After I got out in the first innings, I went back behind to the nets, did a lot of drills. I am happy whatever I have worked on is coming good now,” he added.

“Just being a little too closed. That’s just one part of it. But it is what it is and I don’t want to discuss too much about it. Yes, we worked on and we’ve moved forward and I would leave all that behind. It’s just one of those things that has happened while batting and I am glad that we are able to rectify it and move ahead.”

India started their tour of New Zealand with a bang with a 5-0 sweep of the hosts in the T20I series but were then whitewashed in the ODIs. Virat Kohli’s men have an all-win record in the ICC World Test Championship at the moment with seven victories and they will look to maintain the momentum in the upcoming two-match series.