India vs Australia | Disappointed but will try to learn from my mistakes, says Mayank Agarwal

India started the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on a sound note scoring 303/4 at stumps on the first day. The foundation of this innings was laid by the 116-run partnership for the second wicket between Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal. Though Agarwal made a solid 77 runs he was disappointed to miss a century yet again early in his Test career. He had scored 76 runs in his debut innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"I am quite disappointed for missing out on a big score. With that said, it's a learning curve. If I don't make this mistake again, it will be good learning. I was looking to dominate Nathan Lyon and it didn't work out. Really disappointed that I threw my wicket," Agarwal said while addressing the media, reported PTI.

The Australian bowlers chipped in with few wickets but were never in control of the game on day one. In all, they managed to get four wickets on the first day but yet India remained in the driver’s seat with two more batsmen to come to bat and two set batsmen still at the crease. The Australian bowlers though seemed to come out with a plan of keeping the batsmen on the backfoot by bowling short balls.

"Recently I faced such short bowling from New Zealand-A side (in New Zealand). They also came very hard, but to be really honest, I think the Australian pace bowling attack came really, really hard. They bowled quick bouncers and they were sharp. They were consistent and didn't give anything away," he said.

Though there were handy knocks from Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari, the day truly belonged to Cheteshwar Pujara who remained unbeaten on 130 at the end. This is his third century of the series where other batsmen have struggled to score big. 

"Definitely, it is great to watch him bat from the other end and also to watch him bat the way he grinds the bowlers. He has got a pattern to it and he understands his strengths and know that he is very tight with his defence. He looks to do that and waits for the bad ball to come.

"This game is for five days and there is time. It is a very long game and if you see him bat, you can learn a lot. Patience is his strength and he sticks to that," he said.

India scored 303 runs on day one and this was the first occasion when a team touched the 300 mark on the opening day of a Test in the ongoing series. India would like to emulate what they did in the last Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"We are very happy, we would have liked to be just three down but that said 303-4 on the first day after choosing to bat, I think we are in a great position," the opener concluded.