Former Indian player Parthiv Patel feels that Mayank Agarwal isn’t making the best from his given opportunities in Test cricket for the Indian team.
On Friday, Agarwal opened the innings with India’s new Test skipper Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali. The Indian openers stitch 52 -run stand before Rohit was caught by Suranga Lakmal near fine leg after the batter attempted to play a pull shot off Lahiru Kumara’s bowling.
IND vs SL: Mayank Agarwal made 33 vs SL in the first innings
Mayank scored 33 off 49 balls but couldn’t convert his innings into a big score as he was trapped before the wicket by Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya in the 19th over of the first session.
Mayank’s Karnataka teammate KL Rahul is currently unavailable for the Test series against Sri Lanka as he is recovering from an upper left hamstring strain, he sustained during India’s ODI series against West Indies. Agarwal was picked ahead of youngster Shubman Gill for the first Test.
It is important to score big whenever you get an opportunity: Parthiv Patel to Mayank Agarwal
Agarwal scored just 135 runs from three Tests against South Africa as he opened the innings with Rahul in the absence of an injured Rohit. Parthiv beware Mayank that if he doesn’t score big runs in the allotted opportunities then he might lose his spot in the Indian Test side.
“The kind of options that this Indian team has, it is important to make the most of opportunities. Not every time will a player be injured. Mayank Agarwal has failed to show that much consistency,” Parthiv told Cricbuzz.
“He scored a hundred against New Zealand and then had an inconsistent run in South Africa. Since there are many options, it is important to score big whenever you get an opportunity,” he added.
India were 204/4 after 55 overs on Day 1 with Shreyas Iyer (15*) and Rishabh Pant (16*) batting at the crease.