Mumbai Test: He played straight and took calculated risks says Gavaskar on Mayank Agarwal

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar has revealed that he got into Mayank Agarwal’s ears before the Mumbai test to help the opener overcome his flaws before he went on to make a century on Day 1 of the second and final Test between India and New Zealand on Friday. India rode on Agarwal’s 120 not out to reach 221 for 4 at stumps after electing to bat first at Wankhede stadium. The 30-year-old opener from Karnataka had gone two years without a century, his last ton coming in November 2019 when he went on to score 243 against Bangladesh.

Mayank came into the playing XI after KL Rahul’s ruled him out of the series. He had scored only 13 and 17 runs in the first Test but roared back to form with a brilliant century to rescue his team from a tough situation.

“Let me clarify. He didn’t seek my council, I imposed myself on him. Look, I care for Indian cricket. He was walking past and he was staying in the same hotel so I told him maybe you should try something.

“I don’t know whether he is trying it. It looks like he is. But look, at the end of the day, it’s about how strong you are mentally and he has shown he is very strong mentally,” Gavaskar revealed during his commentary stint.

The former India skipper praised Mayank for the “brilliantly executed shots” he played during his 246-ball unbeaten knock.

“The discipline he has shown at the beginning of a five-day game – not everybody can be a Virender Sehwag, who can get away to a flying start but at the start of the innings, the discipline around the off-stump is so important.

“Not looking to play across the line and then get out LBW to an incoming delivery. So that is what he has shown. He played straight and later on when the spinners came in, he took calculated risks going inside out. Brilliantly executed shots,” said Gavaskar.

Ajaz Patel took all four wickets on Day 1

Openers Mayank and Shubman Gill had stitched together a partnership of 80 runs before the latter was dismissed by Ajaz Patel. The left-arm spinner then got two quick wickets of Chetashwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, both of them didn’t trouble the scorecard. Last matches centurion Shreyas Iyer managed to get just 18 runs before becoming Ajaz’ fourth wicket of the day.

The first test in Kanpur had ended in a draw after New Zealand’s last batting pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz survived the Indian bowlers for 52 balls before the game was ended by the match referee. Ajaz, who was born in Mumbai, immigrated to New Zealand along with his parents in 1996.

The Indian origin Kiwi cricketer frustrated the Indian bowlers to hung on and secure a draw for his team at Green Park. The 33-year-old is once again proving to be a handful for the Black Caps as he has taken all four wickets on Day 1 in Mumbai.