Mayank Agarwal Sets Sights on Playing All Three Formats for India
Feb 21, 2019 at 7:40 PM
It might have taken a bit too long for exciting batsman Mayank Agarwal to make a first appearance in the Test fold, but what unfolded for him at the age of 28, he will remember it for so long. Recently, Agarwal earned the Test cap to make his International debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Thus, Agarwal is keen to flourish in all three formats for India.
“Obviously the goal is to play for the country in all three formats,” Agarwal told Reuters.
From Prithvi Shaw’s ankle injury to Agarwal’s impetus for India, the journey has been a glimmer of hope for the latter to withstand.
Series Down under boosted Agarwal’s confidence:
The top-order batsman Agarwal has impressed one and all with his knocks against Australia in the recently-held four-match Test series. Agarwal is ecstatic to face the fast bowling trio of Australia while adding scoring runs in Australian conditions has boosted his morale.
“Playing Test cricket was a great experience. Facing bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood and (spinner) Nathan Lyon gave me a lot of insight as to what I need to do about a few aspects of my game. It also gave me a lot of confidence having scored against Australia in Australia,” Agarwal said.
Agarwal, who has a bumpy road to ride on had a fairytale start on his international assignment. The right-handed batsman slammed a fine 76 runs in the first essay. He consumed 161 deliveries during his maiden appearance on the crease while donning whites.
The exemplary show further saw him scoring 42 runs in the second innings at the ‘G’.
In the fourth and final Test at Sydney, Agarwal slammed yet another fifty to score 77. However, the game ended on a draw as India went on to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
Agarwal is a quick learner?
Agarwal rues the mistake on missing his maiden ton at Sydney after getting dismissed on the bowling off off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
“I’m still disappointed about that and I could have had a century there. I was looking to attack him. I have learnt from that mistake,” Agarwal said.
Besides, it was India’s first-ever Test series victory on the Australian soil since it’s inception.
Although, Agarwal featured in two Tests for India to slam overall two half-centuries in series Down Under. He stood the ground when batsmen found it too difficult to start off the proceedings with the bat.
The Karnataka batsman believes he is looking forward to focussing on his basics across formats. He added one is supposed to play according to the situation while considering each of the formats.
“The basic remains the same, whether you’re playing test cricket, one-day cricket or Twenty20 cricket. You only have to change your game and plan according to the format you are playing and the situation you are put in.”
In the domestic fold, Agarwal had shown his fizz with the bat before ultimately living his dream.
Agarwal confident on delivering in the white-ball cricket:
Agarwal has expressed to keep on delivering for India to cement his spot in the limited-overs fold. So far, the healthy competition in the cricketing circle has made a case difficult for most of the professionals.
“I’m looking forward to playing limited overs cricket for the country whenever the opportunity presents itself. I think I have the game (to succeed across formats),” Agarwal said.
Following the culmination of Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Agarwal is playing for Karnataka in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019 to tune-up for the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League, beginning on March 23.
In the IPL 2019, Agarwal will represent Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).