Agarwal proves previous feat no flash in pan

IN November last year, Mayank Agarwal achieved a feat bettered only by Australian legend Bill Ponsford when he scored 1033 first-class runs in a month.

So it was fitting yesterday at the MCG that, when the 27year-old Test debutant reached his half-century, he raised his bat towards the Ponsford Stand where his teammates were sitting. Pressure creates diamonds and the need for runs at the top of the Indian order could have unearthed a gem.

Agarwal was handed a Boxing Day Test debut in a move written off as panic from Indian selectors, who dropped openers Murali Vijay and K.L. Rahul after they failed in the first two Tests.

Agarwal was called to Australia only after the second Test in Perth when wunderkind Prithvi Shaw – an India A opening partner for Agarwal – was ruled out of the series with an ankle injury.

Agarwal looked undaunted by the occasion after India chose to bat on a greenish wicket that played more passively than looks suggested.

He got off the mark with a three and continued to turn over the strike – in contrast to opening partner, Hanuma Vihari – who was out for eight off 66 balls.

Agarwal’s effort came as little surprise to Indian cricket watchers, who referred to his stunning 27-day effort in November last year.

The 1033-run haul in the Ranji Trophy – India’s Sheffield Shield equivalent – thrust Agarwal’s name into contention to open in Tests, where the team has struggled to find regular run-getters.