IND vs SL: Every Test Series Is Of Utmost Importance Because Of The World Test Championship: Mayank Agarwal

Indian batter Mayank Agarwal said that every Test series is important to the team as it helps to decide the fate of the World Test Championship rankings.

India is currently placed fifth on the points table of the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle as they have won four, lost three and drawn two matches. India lost to South Africa 1-2 last month despite winning the first Test in Centurion.

India will start their new chapter in Test cricket under the leadership of Rohit Sharma as Virat Kohli stepped down from the captaincy role after suffering the series defeat by the Proteas.

India will host Sri Lanka for a couple of Test matches just after the conclusion of the T20I series.

I am excited to be part of the Indian Test team: Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal said he is looking forward to the Sri Lanka Tests and wants to contribute exponentially to the team.

“I am very excited to be part of the squad and part of the Indian Test team. I am really looking forward to contributing to the team’s success. Every Test series is of utmost importance because of the World Test Championship. Each Test carries points.

“The collective thinking of our team is to pick up a win in every match that we play and try to get the maximum points we can from all the Test matches,” Agarwal said in a statement.

The role of an opener is key in Test cricket: Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal scored just 135 runs from three Tests against South Africa as he opened the batting along with his Karnataka teammate KL Rahul.

Agarwal made scores of 150 & 62 against New Zealand in his last home Test while opening for India.

The 31-year-old said a Test opener has the advantage of scoring ample of runs and talked about facing the spinners in early overs as a challenge on Indian pitches.

“The role of an opener is key in Test cricket because, in a five-day game, it is the openers who set up the day for the batters to follow. It’s something that I have done all my life.

“I really enjoy doing that. With that being said, I don’t just always want to open the batting. I am also comfortable batting at any position the team wants me to bat, at any given situation,” he said.

“I would look to do what an opener sets out to do. Give a good start, set up the scores for the team and make it count. One of the advantages the openers have, with all the difficulties that come their way, is that they have the opportunity to score big runs,” Agarwal added.

India will play the first Test against Sri Lanka at the PCA stadium in Mohali, the match begins on March 4.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Mayank Agarwal To Be The New Skipper of Punjab Kings- Reports