The management of the Indian team gave debutant, Mayank Agarwal the opportunity to open for innings in the Third Test Match for India vs Australia. Undoubtedly, the debutant made perfect use of the opportunity and did not let it go. It was one of the biggest opportunities for Agarwal and he took the matters completely into his hand. He made up the milestone of 95 balls and shocked the whole stadium on the festive season of Boxing Day. Mayank became the first Indian opener to come as a debutant in Melbourne.
Mayank Agarwal Breaks Record: Exceptional performance
He knocked 76 off 161 deliveries but failed when Pat Cummins took the charge. Cummins rolled out the short ball which impacted the condition of the player. The gloves of Mayank grazed the ball and Captain Tim Paine successfully took the catch, leading to a defeated Mayank. KL Rahul and Murali Vijay had miserably failed in the previous two matches. This only put pressure on the Indian team to bring up something new and different. Therefore, the plan to introduce Agarwal in the game was definitely a sure shot thing. Even though Agarwal’s partner did not last long in the pitch, Agarwal did thereby creating history.
Mayank, just 27 years old very easily handled the balls by the fast pacer and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. His enthusiasm remained the same before and post lunch. He now ranks in the 27th position as the Indian batsman who scored fifty in the test debut itself. The greatest achievement however is that he is the second Indian opener to have secured such high runs in the Indian soil. Amir Elahi, the 40th player was the one to represent the country. He was the first to achieve so when he made his debut against Australian team during the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1947-48.
Agarwal (Bangalore born) is also the second Indian cricketer to have secured a half-century in the debut match itself against Australia. The first one to do so was Dattu Phadkar who secured 51 runs for the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1947. Agarwal’s half-century did not stop there and went past the record of Phadkar. Thus, he broke the 71 year old records becoming the highest Indian scorer in a test debut match against Australia.
Mayank Agarwal replaced Prithvi Shaw. Prithvi had earlier suffered an ankle injury during the warm-up session prior to the series. Hanuman Vihari, the opening partner of Agarwal had also set this record during this debut in the Test series against England in September. Vihari had also secured a fifty in his debut match and impressed everyone in the team. He secured it the fifth and final test of the first innings at the Oval.
Mayank Agarwal Breaks Record: Young Openers
Vihari really could not impress or create the charm that he did in his debut. Agarwal, did carry the spirits of the match and set a milestone. No doubt, he did reach for his goal at the right time. Initially, everyone was reluctant about Agarwal and Vihari being a pair. All of them believed that the inexperience of the pair would set out to be a major drawback. Proving everyone wrong, they did play well adding 40 runs to Team India in the first hour itself.
Agarwal was standing tall at 34 runs before the break. By the break, India had already registered 37 runs to itself. Cheteshwar Pujara was accompanying Agarwal by adding the 10 runs in association.
Mayank Agarwal Breaks Record: Steady Performance
Kohli’s new and “inexperienced” pair really did surprise everyone with their skills. However, it was the intervention of Pat Cummins that led to the downfall or else the young openers would have surely registered records after records. The ball flinging off the gloves of Vihari was caught by Aaron Finch. And eventually, the new opener lost his wicket for 8 runs in 66 balls.
It was a really frustrating experience for everyone from the Australian team. International Cricket Council referred the move to be “poor” for the drop-in of the wicket. Earlier last year, similar such disappointing event did take place for Ashes leaving the fans disappointed.
The Four test series stands even at both the teams being on the same page. Both the teams are standing at 1-1. It was Australia who secured the victory during the Perth contest and India was the opening during the match of Adelaide.
Agarwal’s great skills were appreciated by everyone. In such a challenging pitch, he stood out as an expert. But the Australian commentators looked a little against the opener for he mocked and ridiculed him. The effort of Agarwal needs to be praised though.