Despite scoring nearly 1000 runs in Ranji Trophy last season, selectors did not even discuss Mayank Agarwal ahead of WTC Final or IND vs WI Test series. The Karnataka opener fell out of favour after loss of form. Instead, India Cricket Team focused on the left-hander in the opening role with Rohit Sharma. Thus, Yashasvi Jaiswal earned a maiden call-up and is set for Test debut. But Mayank is not disheartened. Instead, his focus is on scoring tons of runs to break the door down for India Tour of South Africa squad selection.
“On every given opportunity, I want to go out there, score runs and win games. Whatever has to come its way, it will come,” Mayank Agarwal told PTI.
Mayank Agarwal unfazed by pressure
But none better than Mayank understands what he needs to do. It was his breakthrough 2016-17 season that powered him to India team. And he is now eying another chance, scoring tons of runs to force the selectors to pick him for India Tour of South Africa. Mayank last played for India against Sri Lanka in the Day-Night Test in March 2022 at Bengaluru.
“See, I am somebody who does not think too much about it. I have been dealt a hand and I don’t have much control on what hand I have been dealt with. But I really want to put in everything from my side,” Mayank said.
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With an overcrowded top order and competition against newcomers, pressure will certainly be on Mayank. In addition, if Yashasvi Jaiswal gets runs in West Indies, it is going to make things even more difficult. But Mayank is unfazed.
“I don’t look at it as pressure, as I look at it as an opportunity. Like I said, wherever I play, whichever tournament I play I want to go and get runs. I am somebody who I can ask myself some tough questions over the years. I play with a lot of intensity. I am a very intense character. But off the field I am relaxed,” Mayank explained.
Good run in domestic cricket
Runs have rarely dried up for Mayank in domestic circuits either. The opener had scored 990 runs in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, and he started the current term with two fifties for South Zone against North Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinals.
“I am very happy with the way I am batting through the last domestic season. I am glad that I am able to pile on runs on tough tracks. It is something that I am proud of. Even in the Duleep Trophy semifinals, we were in a spot of bother and getting those runs was nice as the wicket was not the easiest. It definitely feels very good to put in a match-winning contribution,” he said.
Mayank could not start the Duleep Trophy final on a bright note, getting out for 28 off 47 balls. But for him, winning the Duleep Trophy is as important as achieving his personal targets.
“It is of utmost importance. For me, as a player I play to win and that is the intensity I play with and all of us are putting in the hard yards. The semifinal game was very tight and you could see that winning that match meant a lot for everyone. We are going to go all out and try our best to win the final,” he signed off.
– With inputs from PTI
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