It's Not All About Technique: Vikram Rathour Defends Mayank Agarwal And Prithvi Shaw

Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour has jumped in defence of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal, saying that technique isn’t the most important factor to survive in international cricket. Both Shaw and Agarwal’s techniques have been questioned after their poor performances in the ongoing Test series against Australia.

Shaw was dropped from the playing eleven after registering scores of 0 and 4 in the first Test. He was bowled through the gates against incoming deliveries in both the innings. On the other hand, Agarwal was dropped after the second Test. In four innings, he registered scores of 17, 9, 0 and 5. Both the batsmen are now in contention for the fourth Test after India suffered a spate of injury setbacks.

And on the eve of the final Test Down Under, Vikram Rathour insisted that while technique is important in the game, it is not the sole factor needed to excel in international cricket. Vikram Rathour said that more than the technique, the decision-making ability, the ability to deal with pressure and character are important for the batsmen.

“Anything (batting technique of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal) can be rectified. But, it also depends on how much importance we give to technique in international cricket,” said Vikram Rathour. “Is technique important? Yes, it is. But it’s more about your decision-making, how committed you are, how you handle pressure and your character. It’s all these things combined that translate to performances.”

Vikram Rathour also dismissed the notion that one-format specialists have more pressure on them. He was of the opinion that playing just one format gives the players more time to prepare.

“Playing one format gives you time to prepare. Pressure will always be there in international cricket. But there’s no extra pressure if you are playing in one format. They (Pujara and Rahane) know their strengths. Their focus lies on performing and preparing for the formats they play,” explained Vikram Rathour.

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