Mayank Agarwal, born in 1991 at Bangalore, is primarily an opening batsman and has been piling on the runs over the past few seasons. Agarwal came under the spotlight when he struck 432 runs at an average of 54 in five matches in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in 2008-09. He followed that up with a match-winning 160 for India Under-19s, in a one-dayer against Australia Under-19s in Hobart in 2009. He also had a great U-19 World Cup the following year but couldn't help India do well in the tournament. Following that, he gratuated to the India A and has been in and around the side. Agarwal made his Ranji Trophy debut for Karnataka in the 2013-14 season; he made his T20 debut in 2010-11 and List A debut in 2011-12 but has struggled for consistency. He was dropped for the entire 2014-15 season, which according to Rahul Dravid was a "wake-up call" for the opener. Since then, he has worked on his fitness and technique and scored his maiden first-class century the following season. He has been a traveler in the IPL and has played for Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rising Pune Supergiant and is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab. However, his form in domestic cricket has been sensational over the past two seasons but was overlooked by the selectors until last year, when Prithvi Shaw was ruled out due to an injury and he was called up for the last two Tests against Australia. Mayank made his Test debut against the Aussies in the Boxing Day Test and registered two scores over 70 in the first two Test matches he played. Mayank is expected to be India's No.1 choice opener along with Shaw for the upcoming future after the World Cup.
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Mayank Agarwal opened up about his experience in Australia and how Virat Kohli helped him settle in the dressing room ahead of his debut in Melbourne.
Hanuma Vihari scored 114 while Mayank Agarwal scored 95 before Rest of India suffered a collapse and were bowled out for 330 at the end of day one against Vidarbha in the Irani Cup.
Apart from Agarwal, skipper Manish Pandey, who has been scoring runs, will be looking to continue his good form. Karun Nair and Jaydev Unadkat are the other players who would like to contribute for Karnataka.
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar and Mayank's personal coach Irfan Sait are among those who feel that 'there is a little bit of Sehwag' in Agarwal, who drew the flattering comparison with his aggressive style of play.
Mayank Agarwal, who fell for 76 in the first innings of the Melbourne Test, was out for 77 on Thursday at the SCG in the first essay of the fourth and final Test.
"We knew we had enough time, we always knew we could do this," said Kohli on Sunday.
Kerry O'Keefe, who is commentating for Fox Cricket in Australia, was having a difficulty at pronouncing the names of Pujara and Jadeja.
Pat Cummins struck a valiant unbeaten half-century to keep India two wickets away from victory in Melbourne.
India coach Ravi Shastri has reacted in his own way to Australian commentator Kerry O'Keefe's jibe at India opener Mayank Agarwal during the third Test at MCG.
Kerry O'Keefe was quoted as saying that Mayank Agarwal's maiden first-class triple century came against "Railways canteen staff".
Australian bowlers had to toil hard as India finished at 215-2 with Kohli (47) and Cheteshwar Pujara (68) remaining unbeaten at Stumps.
O'Keefe remarked that the triple century that Agarwal had scored earlier in the Ranji Trophy, came against "some team like Canteen XI".
The 27-year-old Bengaluru-born Agarwal provided the base with a confident half-century on his debut before Kohli and Pujara steered India to a solid 215/2.
VVS Laxman also said that he was surprised to see India's choice of the new opening pair, while adding that the team management should have backed Murali Vijay.
Debutant Mayank Agarwal provided the base with a confident 76 before Kohli and Pujara steered India to a solid 215/2 on Day 1 at MCG.
Mayank Agarwal batted with confidence, mostly playing with straight bat and treating the balls on merit.
Cheteshwar Pujara (68*) and Virat Kohli (47*) stitched an unbeaten 92-run stand to take India to 215/2 at stumps after debutant Mayank Agarwal's brilliant 76 on Day 1.
Asked if Mayank deserved an early call for Team India, Sait said luck plays a very important role too in life.
A win at MCG will boost either side's chances of securing a rare series victory.
Live Streaming India vs Australia Third Test Match, Day 3: Watch IND vs AUS Cricket Match Live Streaming Online at Sonyliv & Telecast on Sony Six & Sony Ten3 from Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.
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