Mayank Agarwal scored just 34 on the opening day of the India-New Zealand first Test, but while doing so he managed to survive the opening session of the match. And that turned out to be no mean feat.
Mayank was the only India batsman, apart from vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (38 batting), who was able to counter the New Zealand seamers as India scored 122 for five on the rain-marred first day.
Speaking after the day’s play, Mayank said the tricky Basin Reserve wicket and windy conditions were very difficult to negotiate for the visiting team’s batsmen. That the host’s debutant pacer Kyle Jamieson showed “terrific” consistency made India’s job even tougher.
“I think it is quite tricky in Wellington since the wind blows at more than a decent speed here. And you just have to make adjustments right there on the field.
“As a batsman, it’s not easy, especially on the first day, on such a track,” said Mayank, who got out after lunch on Friday.
Mayank praised Jamieson’s effort, saying he was impressed with the way the pacer mixed it up.
“I thought he (Jamieson) bowled exceedingly well. He hit the good areas and he got good bounce. The way he used the new ball, it was fantastic.
“Since the wicket was soft, he was getting extra kick. As a batsman, you have to make that little extra adjustment to the bounce, which can be a little tricky,” he explained.
The 29-year-old from Karnataka felt it was a combination of both spongy surface and disconcerting bounce which made life miserable for him and his colleagues.