The Day 3 of the Brisbane Test match between India and Australia in Brisbane began with a jolt, with the Indian side losing the crucial wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Ajinkiya Rahane. By the end of the morning session, Australia dismissed the two set batsmen and stopped them from making it big at the Gabba cricket ground.
While the visitors were in a crucial situation, the man who was shunted down the order after India recalled him for the final Test, having left him out of the previous game at the expense of Rohit Sharma as an opener, Mayank walked out after Cheteshwar Pujara became Australia’s first wicket of the day. By lunch, he had played out 73 deliveries for a fluent 38, hitting three fours, as well as one glorious six off Nathan Lyon.
On the second ball of the 57th over, Agarwal stepped out of his crease to play a massive shot for six against ace spinner Nathan Lyon. The six went for a whopping 102-meters, leaving the crowd enthralled at the aggressive batting display. “He goes all the way over the rope”, the commentator highlighted.
The joy was short-lived though; having successfully dealt with the Australian bowlers for the first session, Mayank became Australia’s third scalp of the day soon after lunch, edging one to the slips off Josh Hazlewood.
Mayank Agarwal's six gave glimpses of his knock in 2018
Mayank Agarwal had notched similar shots against Lyon in 2018 as well. However, in this edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he rarely got to face the off-spinner as the new ball accounted for his early dismissals in the first two Tests.
He made way for Rohit Sharma for the Sydney Test and the Mumbai Indians captain has since cemented his place as an opener with consecutive good starts.
Agarwal got his comeback chance in Brisbane as a replacement for injured Hanuma Vihari.