Mayank Agarwal fearless like Virender Sehwag, says VVS Laxman

Mayank Agarwal en route his 215 during the first Test v South Africa at Visakhapatnam last week. Pic /AFP

New Delhi: Former India great VVS Laxman feels Mayank Agarwal's "fearless" approach in batting resembles a lot with the maverick Virender Sehwag, who has been the Karnataka opener's idol. Agarwal had come into the limelight with twin half-centuries in his maiden Test tour of Australia but maiden double hundred (215) against South Africa has consolidated his position in the national team, feels former India spinner Harbhajan Singh.

"He is a solid batsman and has approached this game like a domestic cricket match. Players usually change the way they play in domestic and international cricket, but he managed to maintain his style in both forms of cricket. Mental toughness and stability are his strengths and he plays fearlessly just like his favourite, Virender Sehwag," Laxman told Star Sports.

VVS Laxman

Harbhajan on his part felt that years of grind in domestic circuit has paid dividends as Mayank is aware of what is expected of him. "Mayank uses his feet well when he comes forward and hits and also executes the reverse sweep shots. He has a lot in store and plays them when and where needed. He is a hardworking player; the players who come from domestic cricket background have learned a lot," opined Harbhajan. "They come in late but have so much knowledge and experience of the game that they value and understand every opportunity that the game brings to them," said Harbhajan.

Sehwag

Harbhajan also felt that Mayank did well because he was sure about his role in the team. "Once a player is confident about his role and place in the game, he only needs to focus on his performance. Rohit was trying [to play] a different game but Mayank Agarwal stuck to his game."

Rohit reaches career-best 17th Test ranking

Dubai: India batsman Rohit Sharma, who became the first player to score a century in each innings of his maiden Test as opener, yesterday jumped to a career-best 17th position in the ICC Test Player Rankings. Rohit, who now has five centuries from 28 Tests, gained a whopping 36 slots after his knocks of 176 and 127 in the first Test against South Africa in Visakhapatnam helped India win by 203 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

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