Mayank Agarwal had no apprehensions when he got back in the field for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus. He is neither facing any challenges for being in the bio-secure bubble for so long.
It is obvious that any player would be nervous or tensed for his performance after an extended period break which is rare to get for any cricket. KL Rahul had also talked about the same that he had nightmares on whether his form would remain the same or he would be able to play the shots as he used to after the cricket resumes.
But Mayank Agarwal remained optimistic during that period. As he has started training sessions in the UAE with his Kings XI Punjab teammates, he opines that he was not hard on himself in the first practice session.
“There were no apprehensions as such. I just did not put high expectations on myself when I went into practice. It was just more about trying to get back to where I left off. I did not look to judge myself in the first three-four net sessions,” Agarwal told PTI from Dubai.
After being back in the field, Mayank expressed that he was physically fit but he would still need few sessions to improve his skill.
“Physically, yes, I am [back to best] but skill-wise it would take a few more sessions. It is just about getting your batting rhythm back and things will start flowing again. It is pretty hot in here also so trying to get accustomed to the climate by training in peak hours,” said Agarwal.
Mayank Agarwal shares his bio-bubble experience:
On being asked how was his experience of being quarantined for six days, the KXIP players said that he didn’t find challenging to follow the safety protocols as he feels getting to play amid a pandemic “beats everything”.
“It is what it is and I did not find it very challenging. You’ll rather be in a quarantine and in a bubble and play rather than crib about it and not play. That is how I have been looking at it.
Mayank Agarwal was training and online attending team bonding sessions during the isolation period in the hotel room.
“It has not been too hard. I was training twice a day during those days. Spent sometime opening up the body. KXIP (management) also arranged team bonding stuff online and made sure we did not feel left alone in quarantine.”
Meanwhile, IPL will begin from 19th September and hosted in three venues- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. But BCCI is still to announce fixtures.