Ahead of the opening game of the Test series between New Zealand and India, the former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has reacted positively about top-order batsman, Mayank Agarwal.
In the ongoing New Zealand tour, the Indian national cricket team has faced ups and downs. They started this tour with the five-match T20I series, and the visitors won all those five matches, including two in super-overs.
However, the picture changed in the next three-match ODI series where the hosts- Black Caps won the series 3-0.
After losing the ODI series, the Indian team has faced criticism for their poor show. However, Gambhir doesn’t support these critics. Instead of that, he believes that everyone should appreciate the oppositions.
In his recent column for TOI, Gambhir wrote, “In cricket, I have often noticed that whenever we go down, we start blaming someone from our team. More often than not, we start questioning our processes and change things which are not meant to be.
“The same Indian team that beat the hosts 5-0 in the T20I series was being criticized. Why can’t we just appreciate the opposition and look to up our game in future contests?”
Mayank Agarwal has the clarity of mind of an opening batsman: Gautam Gambhir
The Indian Test opening batsman Mayank Agarwal was the most Test run-scorer for India in 2019. The right-handed batsman has scored 872 runs in 13 innings (average 67.07), with three centuries (including two double-centuries) and three half-centuries.
Besides, Gambhir has claimed that Agarwal is the most organised cricketer as he has the clarity of mind of an opening batsman.
Gambhir wrote about Mayank, “I have a lot of faith in Mayank Agarwal. He may not be the most gifted going around but he is certainly the most organised. He will not treat bowlers with disdain like Virender Sehwag or a David Warner did but has the clarity of mind of an opening batsman.”
In the absence of injured Rohit Sharma, either Prithvi Shaw or Shubman Gill is likely to open with Agarwal in the first Test of the series.
Gambhir wrote about the new opening pair, “We will have a new pair opening the batting for India. It will interesting to see how Prithvi Shaw or Shubman Gill react to opportunities as and when they get.”
The first game of the Test series will begin on 21st February which New Zealand and India will play at Basin Reserve (Wellington).
Moreover, Hagley Oval (Christchurch) will host the second and final game of the Test series from 29th February.