Mayank Agarwal scored his career-best 77 in his second Test match (AP Photo) HIGHLIGHTS Mayank Agarwal is his playing just his second Test match Mayank scored his 2nd Test fifty from as many matches Mayank registered his career-best score of 77 on Wednesday Mayank Agarwal scored his second Test fifty in his just third innings in the longest format of the game in the fourth and final Test match between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Wednesday.
Mayank who has scored mountains of runs in domestic cricket, was brought in to open the innings in the 3rd Test after the failures from KL Rahul and Murali Vijay in that position earlier in the series.
Mayank repaid the faith shown in him by the Indian cricket team with scores of 76 and 42 in the Melbourne Test but more importantly gave India good starts at the top.
On Wednesday , Mayank batted with responsibility and courage, as he battled a barrage of short balls from the Australian quicks. The Karnataka opener though dug deep and scored the runs after the ball got old.
Mayank Agarwal gets to a well-made half century! Looking in fine touch at the moment. #TeamIndia march on to 101/1. Agarwal 60*, Pujara 25* #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Np4RdamqQQ
BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2019
His partner, KL Rahul was not having a good day on return, as he managed only nine runs. Rahul, despite missing the Melbourne Test, edged twice in the first four balls faced only for the ball to go to the boundary.
He did not last long, edging Hazlewood to first slip in the second over, and his nightmare run on this tour continued. This was the sixth opening pairing for India in 12 overseas Tests since January 2018, and the resultant opening partnership only averages 21.56 in 23 overseas innings.
Agarwal, on the other hand, settled down and stroked a couple of cover drives. He looked solid in comparison to his Karnataka team-mate and along with Pujara, drove the Indian run-rate forward.
In a series where low scoring has been the norm, India were scoring at 4.29 per over in the first hour as they reached 46/1 at drinks. India crossed 50 shortly thereafter, with the duo bringing on their 50-partnership off 104 balls.
India made 69/1 at lunch.
Mayank looked at ease after resumption of play, as he he grew in confidence and brought out his shots. He hit Nathan Lyon for two sixes but trying to hit a third in as many overs, was his downfall. Mayank held out to Mitchell Starc at long on for his career-best score of 77.
India have taken an unassailable 2-1 series lead after winning the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and the third Test in Melbourne by 137 runs. Australia had won the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.
Also Read | KL Rahul trolled on social media after falling cheaply again Also Read | Team India pay tribute to deceased Ramakant Achrekar at SCG Also Read | KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav back in playing XI for Sydney Test, make history for India
Get real-time alerts and all the news on your phone with the all-new India Today app. Download from Post your comment
