'Your character stood out for me': Virat Kohli lauds Test opener Mayank Agarwal

'Your character stood out for me than number of runs you scored," said India skipper Virat Kohli while explaining his decision to give opener Mayank Agarwal a Test debut in 2018-19 Australia series. Agarwal had made his Test debut during 'Boxing Day' Test match at iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground where he had scored 76. India beat Aussies comprehensively in that contest. Kohli & Co. eventually won that series 2-1 to register ir first-ever Test series win on Australian soil.

'That is something always stood out with you': Virat Kohli

"I had seen you play for RCB, even n you played international bowlers with conviction and you would take m on. You were performing in first-class matches in a dominating way. That is something always stood out with you, I would say your character stood out for me than number of runs. I knew you would be fearless without having any bagg," Kohli told Mayank Agarwal in a video posted on official website of BCCI.

"For me, biggest marker is how a person approaches game, so for example when you opened and we made Vihari open with you. first opportunity we presented Vihari to open batting, he said yes to it and that matters me to most," Kohli said.

"I opened in my first series for India, I said yes to this opportunity and things worked out fine for me. So, a guy who wants to get into tough situations will come out eir holding his head high or learning from his mistakes," he added.

Ever since that series, Mayank has cemented his place as a regular opener for India in longest format. He has amassed mand to score 974 runs from 11 matches at an aver of 57.29 with three centuries.

Mayank Agarwal & Virat Kohli in IPL 2020

stylish batsman was retained by 2014 finalists Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2020 that was originally scheduled to get underway on March 29 but had to be suspended indefinitely due to ongoing global pandemic.

13th edition of cash-rich event will be held in UAE from September 19 to vember 8. complete fixtures of tournament will be anunced by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) this week.

Kohli on or hand will be leading Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB will be hoping to win ir maiden IPL crown after faltering at final hurdle in 2009, 2011, and, 2016 editions respectively.

(Im Courtesy: AP)

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(With ANI Inputs)