Mayank Agarwal showed great attitude and confidence against Australia: Madan Lal

Indian right-hand batsman Mayank Agarwal, with his blistering knock of 76 runs in the first innings of the Melbourne Test against Australia, set the tempo for his team which put up a solid total of 435 runs before declaring their first innings at the end of the Day Two. The opener's contribution, which is the highest by any Indian debutant against Australia, won the praise of former national cricketer Madan Lal who hailed his batting as a perfect display of good attitude and confidence.

"Mayank Agarwal played really well innings. He showed a good attitude and played with a lot of confidence. Playing your first Test in front of this huge crowd of MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) is a big deal for any cricketer," said Madan Lal while speaking to ANI exclusively.

"Agarwal's contribution was crucial. It is because of his smashing opening innings that India managed a good total in the end," he added.

The former cricketer also acknowledged the pivotal role played by top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli. He said that both the players are supremely talented and executed the job perfectly for their side.

"Whole credit goes to Pujara and Kohli. Pujara is a kind of player who spends a lot of time on the wicket which helps him get more and more runs. Same is the case with Kohli. When he starts batting it feels like he would score a hundred. Players like Pujara and Kohli are taking the Indian team forward," Lal said.

When asked about India's overall performance in the third Test so far, the former all-rounder opined that what went in India's favour in this particular match was that they got a solid start.

"India batted really well. What went in their favour was that they got a good start. It was missing in the first two Tests. When you get a good start, other players also get confident and motivated to take the team's score towards a big total," he said.

Talking about India's chances in the Melbourne Test, Madan Lal said that Australian batting lineup mostly consists of attacking batsmen which might not be helpful in these conditions adding that Indian bowlers are capable enough to take their team home.

"I feel we will successfully defend the total. I believe that India could win this match and they will. The Australian batting lineup mostly consists of attacking batsmen which might not be helpful for them, especially, in these conditions," he said.

"Our bowlers are in very good form. There is no doubt that they would make India win the Test match. If they succeeded in taking early wickets then Australia will be under pressure. Only very special innings in the remaining days of the Test match can save Australia. We stand more chances of winning the Test match," he added.

In reply to India's first innings total of 443 runs, Australian openers Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris remained unbeaten on the respective scores of five and three. Australia are trailing the first innings by 435 runs.