Mayank Agarwal is the new batsmen that every domestic cricketer is trying to follow. It is difficult to replicate Virat Kohli's style of batting but youngsters in India can look at Mayank Agarwal and get an idea as to what is required to play Test cricket. It is the attitude of Agarwal that impresses Virat. He wants to perform for India and think how he can make this team better. That's a different mindset to 'how can I perform and get runs'. He is thinking about the team first, then himself, and that's what makes Virat want him to score a triple hundred. This Indian team is about enjoying each other's success because they want global domination.
However, there remains a question mark about Shikhar Dhawan's selection in the Test team. You have a mature cricketer in Agarwal who respects the game. He knows that when you make a good start you must make the most of it because there are times in Test cricket when you can get a good ball which can end your innings. He wants to put the team in a good position so they dont lose. He has the ability to hit big sixes and this has been a dream come true for him. Given his current aggression and winning strategy should he be included in the T20 team? If he strikes form, I think Shikhar Dhawan's inclusion will be a welcome headache for the Indian selectors because a left and right combination will work well.
The three Indian seamers on this pitch were ruthless. With Shami's ability to bowl a peach of a bouncer, this Indian attack is a lethal one. The pitch was flat but you can't take the Indian seamers lightly. Since 2018 they have bowled teams out 38 times. They have a good rotation of bowlers. Mohammed Shami is India's 'go to' man. He gets the ball to move in the air and off the pitch. He has taken 48 wickets in 2nd innings since 2018. Should Shami be given the new ball?
The Indian seamers take great delight in each other's success and they are the key to Virat's world domination plan. Their fitness is amazing.
Shami and Yadav are bowling really quick which takes the pitch out of the equation, while Ishant Sharma bowls according to the situation and maintains the pressure at the other end. This seam attack reminds me of the fearsome West Indies attack. They are a threat on any surface and they are always looking to get wickets. The entire session on day 3 was bowled by the fast bowlers.
India is getting close to world domination like the Australian teams under Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. It is this culture that Virat has developed in this team. He wants new players coming in and developing into world class players sooner than he did. One aspect that is surprising is the huge turnout of crowds for Test cricket in India. This is India's sixth home Test win in a row. This is where Virat Kolhi has taken the team to greater heights.
It helps with the fact that he is the most successful Indian captain with 32 wins from 52 matches under his belt. In Test cricket it is the bowlers who make successful Test captains. Virat wants at least one of the batsmen to take responsibility and Agarwal has shown that he has the maturity to bat long and help India win. Virat wants to develop a group of 4-5 core bowlers to score overseas victories. This is the ultimate challenge for him. Can he consistently produce overseas wins? Is he a Superman? His new programme 'Super V' suggests that anything is possible with Virat Kohli.