MUMBAI: After playing a huge role in India’s massive win over New Zealand in the second Test, opener Mayank Agarwal on Monday said that technique does not always guarantee runs but the determination to fight is key to good performance.
Agarwal produced a 150-run knock in the first innings and followed that up with a 62-run innings to be adjudged player of the Match.
“It feels good to be back among the runs and this knock is special for me. I didn’t change anything from Kanpur, I just had the mental discipline and determination,” Agarwal said after India’s series-clinching win.
“The technique isn’t going to be the best all the time, it won’t guarantee runs, but the will to fight is key.”
The 30-year-old batter said he was not really thinking of a century in each innings, but should have converted the 60 into a three-figure score.
“It will be a different challenge in South Africa, we will relish as a team. We’re looking forward to that.”
Agarwal, who was out for 13 and 17 in the first Test in Kanpur, said Dravid had told him not to change his technique.
“Rahul bhai told me there’s no point thinking about technique mid-series. ‘This is the technique that has got you runs, have a solid mindset, stick to your game plans, the runs will come’.”
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In Pics – Big highlights of India’s 14th consecutive Test series win at home
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<p>India demolished New Zealand by 372 runs in Mumbai on Day 4 to win the two-Test series 1-0. This was after the first match in Kanpur ended in a thrilling draw. The series was coach Rahul Dravid’s first assignment in the longest format which saw some exceptional performances from the emerging stars and the old guards from both the sides. (ANI photo)</p>
<p>Shreyas Iyer, who made his Test debut in Kanpur produced a top-notch effort on a testing Green Park surface against a quality Kiwi bowling attack. The 27-year-old scored a hundred in the first innings and followed that up with a crucial 65 in the second in the middle order, steering India out of trouble after a top order failure in both innings. (ANI photo)</p>
<p>Shreyas in fact made it to the playing XI for the first Test due to KL Rahul’s last-minute injury. The youngster grabbed the opportunity with both hands and became the first Indian to score a century and a fifty in the two innings of his debut Test. (PTI photo)</p>
<p>On Day 5 of the Kanpur Test, India needed 6 wickets in the last session to wrap up the match, but Kiwi newbies Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel forged a match savig last-wicket stand that survived 9 overs against a high-quality Indian spin attack to force the match to a draw. Bad light also helped. (ANI photo)</p>
<p>Mayank Agarwal scored 13 and 17 in the first Test and was criticised for his technique but the opener bounced back in style in the first innings of the Mumbai Test, tonking a scintillating 150 and guiding India to strong total. Mayank then, smoked a sizzling 62 in the second innings and has now made it very difficult for the selectors to ignore him for the South Africa series. (PTI photo)</p>
<p>Mumbai-born left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel created history in the first Indian innings of the second Test, bagging all 10 India wickets. Returning figures of 10 for 119, Ajaz joined the ‘super elite’ club of Jim Laker and Anil Kumble, becoming only the third bowler to grab a ‘Perfect 10’ in Tests. Ajaz took a total of 14 wickets in the second Test. (PTI photo)</p>
<p>After a sensational fight in Kanpur, most people thought that New Zealand will not make it easy for India in Mumbai as well, but a horrendous batting display in their first innings of the second Test saw the Kiwis folding up for just 62. This was New Zealand’s lowest Test total against India ever. (PTI photo)</p>
<p>Spinners R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav shared 35 wickets between them in the two Tests, once again proving that India spinners in home conditions are very formidable. Ashwin led the pack with 14 wickets and was adjudged Player of the Series. (PTI photo)</p>
<p>Apart from the 14 wickets in the series, R Ashwin managed 70 runs with the bat (first Test). Axar Patel meanwhile took 9 wickets and scored 124 runs. Along with Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav, Indias spinning all rounders column is looking very healthy. (ANI photo)</p>
Regarding the advice given by Gavasakar, he said, “Sunny sir told me to keep my bat low early on, be more side-on and open up my left shoulder… it helped.”
Senior India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said he enjoyed watching Kiwi left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel create history by taking all 10 opposition wickets in the second match but felt it was his “destiny” to come up with the performance.
“It was a wonderful performance by Ajaz. It doesn’t spin all the time in Wankhede, and he used the seam and put the ball in the right places. I enjoyed watching him bowl. It was destiny, said Ashwin, who was named the Player of the Series for taking 14 wickets in the two Tests.
“I think I’ve got 10 (Player of the Series awards now). I enjoyed Wankhede honestly, and everyday there was something new, and I could challenge both edges.”
“I would look to play a part in South Africa and finish off with a series win. We haven’t done that before, and hopefully we can do it this time.”
Talking about his spin colleague Jayant Yadav, who took five wickets in the second Test here, Ashwin said, “We have trained together, he flew to Chennai from Haryana in 2014 to pick my mind, so we have a good relation.”
“Axar, I’ve been playing for a while at Kings and Delhi Capitals.”
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