Mayank Agarwal showed how to play Nathan Lyon: Michael Clarke

KL Rahul and Murali Vijay failed miserably in Adelaide and Perth respectively, following which the Indian team management dropped the duo for the ongoing Test against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Moreover, India roped in Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal, who made his international debut. However, the debutant didn’t look flustered by the occasion by any means.

The right-hander turned out to be India’s highest scorer on the day with 76 runs from 161 balls. Pat Cummins nipped him out at the stroke of Tea with a brute of a delivery. In the meantime, Michael Clarke, the former Australian cricketer, was satisfied with how the youngster applied himself under pressure and also exemplified his batting in regards to playing off-break bowler Nathan Lyon.

Agarwal can be good in international cricket

“The standout for me [the way he batted against Lyon]. Firstly you give a guy his debut and he scores 76, unbelievable performance but it was his intent against Nathan Lyon. I actually think he has shown the other Indian batsmen how to put Nathan Lyon under pressure,” Clarke told Sony Sports.

“He made Lyon bowl majority of his overs from around the wicket, which Nathan would prefer to bowl over. He has been able to bowl over in the first two Test matches so because of his [Agarwal] intent as he opened up scoring on both sides of the wicket,” he remarked.

Lyon is currently the leading wicket-taker of the series with 16 wickets with his best figures of 6/122 coming in the first innings of the second Test at the new Perth Stadium. In that innings, he picked up his seventh Test fifer against India and was also given the Player of the Match. Agarwal didn’t allow the tweaker to settle. Clarke also mentioned that Mayank deservingly staked his claim into the side.

“I like the fact that he has earned the right to be called for the Indian team and that only shows how India keep producing class batsman again and again. You need guys who score a bulk of runs away from international cricket to knock the doors and then he has shown he can be good in international cricket as well,” the 37-year-old added.

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