Michael Clarke has said that Mayank Agarwal's confidence and energy at the top of the order should be an inspiration for rest of the Indian batsmen, especially while facing ace off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
It didn't seem as if Mayank is on debut throughout that brilliant 76 against Australia on Day 1 of the iconic Boxing Day Test at the MCG as his positive batting approach stood out for everyone to see.
Clarke, once a brilliant player of spin himself, felt Agarwal's ways should be a template for India against Lyon, who has taken 16 wickets from the two Tests in Adelaide and Perth.
"The standout for me [the way he batted against Lyon]. Firstly you give a guy his debut and he scores 76, unbelievable performance but it was his intent against Nathan Lyon. I actually think he has shown the other Indian batsmen how to put Nathan Lyon under pressure," the former Australian batsman said during Indian broadcaster Sony Sports' post-tea show.
"He made Lyon bowl majority of his overs from around the wicket, which Nathan would prefer to bowl over. He has been able to bowl over in the first two Test matches so because of his [Agarwal] intent as he opened up scoring on both sides of the wicket."
Mayank amassed 1003 runs at an outstanding average of 76.46, including a triple-hundred and three centuries along with four fifties during last year’s edition of the Ranji Trophy as Clarke praised the right-hander as well as Indian system's ability to produce another good Test cricketer.
"I like the fact that he has earned the right to be called for the Indian team and that only shows how India keep producing class batsman again and again. You need guys who score a bulk of runs away from international cricket to knock the doors and then he has shown he can be good in international cricket as well," he added.
Earlier, the 27-year-old got finally rewarded with an India cap after a couple of prolific domestic seasons for Karnataka and magnificent performances featuring for India A under Rahul Dravid's mentorship.
(Inputs from India Today)
