India’s rookie Test batsman Mayank Agarwal gave credit to Rohit Sharma for backing him after the Karnataka batsman faced a slump of form while playing against West Indies. Agarwal could only score 80 runs in the two-Test matches against the Windies when India toured the Caribbean nation back in 2019. The right-hander had a great start to his career against Australia as he scored 195 runs in two matches in his maiden International series.
However, he wasn’t able to repeat the same magic against the West Indies. Subsequently, Rohit gave the much-needed confidence to Mayank and told him that the expectations increase in the second series, which puts extra pressure on the player.
Mayank Agarwal has had a great start to his career.
Ergo, Rohit advised Mayank to play like it is his maiden series and the Karnataka batsman is following the same in the matches he is playing. Rohit and Mayank were asked to open the innings in the series against South Africa and the latter was once again at his best.
The greenhorn batsman scored 340 runs in the three-Test matches at an impressive average of 85 and finished as the second-highest run-getter in the series behind his opening partner, Rohit.
That was exactly the feeling after the West Indies tour, I said to myself man what is happening? You had a good start and you planned and planned. I remember Rohit Sharma was sitting next to me, he told me that there is a difference when you play your first series and your second series, he told me that there is a certain expectation from me to perform,” Agarwal told Sanjay Manjrekar in a videocast hosted by ESPNCricinfo.
“But he told me not to add more pressure on myself to perform, he advised to play like it’s my first match, I have taken this advice and I try to follow it every time,” he added.
Mayank Agarwal has had a sublime start to his Test career. The right-hander ended 2019 as India’s leading run-scorer in the Test format. Agarwal has thus far scored 974 runs in 11 Test matches at an impressive average of 57.29.
The Karnataka batsman, who had a great run in the domestic circuit, has thus far scored three centuries and four fifties in his short career. Thus, Agarwal would like to continue his good form going at the International level.