IND vs NZ 2021: It Feels Good To Be Back Among Runs; This Knock Is Special For Me - Mayank Agarwal

India opener Mayank Agarwal was awarded the Man of the Match award in the Mumbai Test against New Zealand, which India won by 372 runs and clinched the series 1-0.

After registering scores of 13 and 17 in Kanpur, Mayank Agarwal slammed 150 in the first innings in Mumbai and scored 62 in the second innings.

The right-hander was pleased to return to form; his home average now is 83.90!

“It feels good to be back among the runs and this knock is special for me. I didn’t change anything from Kanpur, I just had the mental discipline and determination. The technique isn’t going to be the best all the time, it won’t guarantee runs, but the will to fight is key,” Mayank Agarwal said at the post-match presentation.

He was also dropped from the eleven last year in Australia. Now, it remains to be seen whether he gets dropped or is shifted in the middle-order when Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul return for the South Africa tour.

Rahul Dravid told me about not thinking of technique mid-series: Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal revealed that he had had chats with head coach Rahul Dravid and cricketer-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar about his technique.

“Rahul bhai told me about not thinking of technique mid-series and told me this is the technique that’s got me runs. Sunny sir said I should keep my bat low early on in the innings and opening up my left shoulder,” he said.

The 30-year-old felt he should have converted his fifty in the second innings to a hundred.

“I didn’t really think about the second hundred in the match, but should have converted the sixty. We will relish the abroad challenge in South Africa, so we’re looking forward to that too,” the opener added.

The BCCI has confirmed that India will tour South Africa, but it will be a delayed tour, comprising of the Test and ODI series starting December 26; the T20I series will be played later.

Also Read: ICC World Test Championship 2021-23: Updated Points Table After 2nd Test Between India And New Zealand