IND vs AUS: Sachin Tendulkar Believes Mayank Agarwal Is 'Confirmed Starter' For India In Test Series

Sachin is of the firm opinion that Mayank is a confirmed starter at the top of the order for the Test series on account of the sheer volume of runs he scored in the lead up to the all-format tour against Australia.

Photo: @BCCI (Twitter)

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has backed Mayank Agarwal as the first choice opener for India in the 4-match Test series against Australia. Sachin is of the firm opinion that Mayank is a confirmed starter at the top of the order for the Test series on account of the sheer volume of runs he scored in the lead up to the all-format tour against Australia. Tendulkar added that if Rohit Sharma is fit on time ahead of the Test series, then he should open with Mayank Agarwal. Sachin rounded up by stating that it was up to the selectors to choose one out of Prithvi Shaw and KL Rahul for the opener's role Between other guys (Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul), that will be the management’s decision as they would be knowing who’s the form man,” said Tendulkar in an interview with the PTI. It has been for the very first time that Mayank Agarwal was picked in all the three Indian squads for an international engagement. The Karnataka opener was rewarded with a place in the T20 team on the back  of his prolific run scoring form in the thirteenth edition of the IPL. Opening the batting with KXIP skipper KL Rahul, Mayank notched up 424 runs in 11 games at a 150-plus strike rate for Kings Eleven Punjab in the coveted T20 league held in the UAE. Tendulkar also asserted that the Australian batting line-up looks much more solid and compact than India ahead of the Test series. “Smith, (David) Warner and (Marnus) Labuschagne will be a factor and I am confident that the Indian team will leave no stone unturned as far as preparations are concerned. These two seniors back in the team and also with Labuschangne in there, it makes it a much better batting unit. It will be a bit more competitive series and I am sure India is ready for it,” said Tendulkar. Tendulkar echoed the opinion of leading cricketers over skipper Virat Kohli’s absence from three Test matches leaving a major void in the Indian Test unit, but presenting an opportunity to one of the frontline batsmen.