India dropped under-performing openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul after losing the second Test match in Perth and debutant Mayank Agarwal was asked to step up to the plate.
And the Karnakata batsman didn¡¯t disappoint and scored a sublime 76 off 161 in his debut Test innings and then followed that up with a 42-run knock in the second innings of the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which India won by 137 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
AFP
The talented 27-year-old, who finally got an international call-up after continuing to make big scores in domestic cricket, didn¡¯t stop there.
He notched up another half-century (77) in the fourth and last Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Though he missed out on a century again, the Karnataka batsman sorted out India's opening woes to some extent and played a vital role in India¡¯s maiden Test series win on Australian soil.
¡°It is a big win for us. India¡¯s first in Australia and the best part is that India are the first team from the subcontinent to win a Test series in Australia. The feeling is amazing. It is a proud moment for me and the team,¡± Mayank Agarwal told Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview.
¡°I am still living in that moment. We are winners. The feeling is amazing,¡± an excited Mayank said.
The pictures of the victorious Indian team with the Border-Gavaskar trophy after the historic 2-1 series win which were splashed across publications all over the world showed Mayank holding the trophy.
AP
¡°When we all were going to the victory podium to celebrate our title win, Virat Kohli stopped me and said ¨C ¡°you hold the trophy¡±. It was an incredible feeling. It is really a big moment for a cricketer. I am lucky to have lived that moment,¡± the youngster said.
Mayank was thrust into the squad following the failures of his state-mate from Karnataka, Rahul and Murali Vijay and the youngster said he didn't feel any pressure.
¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking in terms of pressure. I was just excited to become a part of the Indian side against a big team (Australia). I had a great opportunity and I am happy with my performance,¡± Mayank told TimesofIndia.com.
¡°The series was locked at 1-1 and I wanted to be in the eleven and perform for the team rather watching the match,¡± the youngster said.
Mayank also spoke about the big lessons he learnt on his maiden international assignment.
¡°After playing against Australia in Australia, there is a sense of confidence in me. I now have experience of playing in an international team and that too against a top team. This was my biggest takeaway,¡± Mayank said.
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¡°The intensity with which the game is played, the kind of bowling attack I faced, batting in Australian conditions and batting alongside the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane - this is what I gained from the series,¡± he said.
¡°Sharing the dressing room with these seniors was a great experience. It was a huge learning curve for me. I wish to continue to serve my country in the future too,¡± Mayank signed off.