World Cup 2019: This is why Mayank Agarwal is a perfect Vijay Shankar replacement for Team India

Written By DNA Web Team | Updated: Jul 01, 2019, 08:30 PM IST

@Twitter:

Mayank Agarwal will fit right into India's current World Cup 2019 squad for skipper Virat Kohli.

Young wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and veteran batsman Ambati Rayudu were named among the standbys for India's World Cup squad.

Rayudu - who was called India's first-choice No.4 by captain Virat Kohli - was not been selected and in his place, Vijay Shankar was taken.

With the selection not going down well by the batsman, he indirectly took a dig mentioning about ordering the 3D glasses to watch the mega-event from home. “Just Ordered a new set of 3d glasses to watch the world cup”.

"We did give a few more chances to Rayudu but Vijay Shankar gives three dimensions. He can bat if the conditions are overcast, he can bowl, plus he is a fielder. We are looking at Vijay Shankar as a No. 4," chief selector MSK Prasad said Tuesday, justifying his selection.

However, after Shikhar Dhawan suffered an injury, Pant was immediately called to England. No one questioned so much then but now, after Vijay Shankar himself suffered an injured, BCCI is likely to call Mayank Agarwal.

But why Mayank ahead of other batsmen like Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, etc...

The 28-year old Karnataka opener had a fairly decent IPL 2019 with the Kings XI Punjab who finished 6th in the tournament. 

Mayank played 13 matches and scored 332 runs for the Kings, with an average of 25.53 and a top score of 58. He was also one of KXIP's most consistent batsman in this year's IPL alongside fellow teammate KL Rahul who was also drafted into India's World Cup 2019 squad after Dhawan picked up an unfortunate injury. 

Even though Mayank is yet to make his full ODI debut in a Blue shirt, during his two test matches for Team India against Australia, Mayank showed exactly what he brings to the side. In his 3 innings, Mayank secured 195 runs with a top score of 77 and an impressive average of 65.0. 

Jack of all trades, Mayank is not just an opening batsman but also a versatile player. He can come in anywhere between number 1-5 for the 'Men In Blues' to bat and also has the capability to bowl as well.  

For more from about England vs India click here: 

Why blame Dhoni? Fans defend MSD on Twitter with 'stats' over 'slow batting' and 'lack of intent' in ENG vs IND match

'DHONI REVIEW SYSTEM FAILS': Twitter trolls MS Dhoni after he fails to take DRS against Jason Roy in ENG vs IND match

World Cup 2019-There is no intent: Sourav Ganguly blasts Dhoni-Jadhav effort as India lose to England

ENG vs IND World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli lists reasons for India's loss against England

'Needed Rohit to anchor till the end': Twitter reacts to Rohit Sharma's century against England on Sunday

ENG vs IND World Cup 2019: Jonny Bairstow hails 'close to complete performance' after win over India

Why did MS Dhoni-Kedar Jadhav play like that? Rohit Sharma explains reason behind slow batting

'Picnic manayi hai batsman ne': Pakistan's Basit Ali slams MS Dhoni for slow runs in India-England clash

Did Rishabh Pant tell Hardik Pandya ‘darr lag raha hain' during India vs England World Cup clash?