Virat Kohli brings in a lot of intensity and energy: Mayank Agarwal

Virat Kohli is an animated character on the cricket pitch. The aggression can be seen in his eyes, when he’s in the middle with the bat, and even when he’s marshalling his troops. Bearing in mind his numbers at the highest level, a number of cricketers have expressed the joy of batting alongside the Delhi-born. Lately, Mayank Agarwal was all praises for the 30-year-old Indian skipper.

Agarwal made his Test debut last year and recently got the chance of batting with Virat in the two-match series versus the West Indies. The Karnataka batter talked about an incident from the Jamaica Test when India were reduced to 46/2 following KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara’s dismissal.

The duo batted out the next 25 overs and added 69 runs. Describing his stint with Virat in the middle, Mayank put forth the learning he got. Agarwal also lauded Virat for bringing intensity and energy into the setup. Moreover, he hailed Kohli as someone, who likes to lead from the front.

Virat is the guy at the forefront, says Agarwal

“Virat came into bat about half hour before lunch. The first thing we spoke about was getting a partnership going. We said, ‘Let’s not take any chance, let’s hold on to both ends till lunch and then come out.’ So, we were tight and cautious,” Mayank told The Times of India (TOI).

“After lunch, Virat went bang, bang, bang and suddenly upped the ante. What I took from Virat’s batting is intensity and mindset in terms of how he looks at and reads situations. He also brings in a lot of energy. He is the guy at the forefront, leading by example,” Agarwal stated.

Agarwal didn’t miss out on the chance of praising the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari, the top two leading run-scorers of the series. “There were so many guys doing the job well, Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane), (Hanuma) Vihari. It is great to be involved with a team like this,” Agarwal added.

As far as Mayank is concerned, he had a torrid time. The 28-year-old could manage only 80 runs in four innings at an average of 20. His top score of 55 came in the first innings of the Jamaica Test. His next task will be in the three-match Test series against South Africa, starting October 2.

Watch: 5 Indian cricketers who earn more from brands than from their board