Mayank Agarwal had one of the most successful campaigns any batsman has ever had in Ranji Trophy. He made 1,160 runs at 105.45 for Karnataka in the last edition, breaking several records. Overall, last season, he made 2,232 runs in 2017-18 – the most runs in India’s domestic season – but a call-up to the national side he still awaits.
Brought by Kings XI Punjab for Rs 1 crore, the Bengaluru batsman would hope the Indian Premier League will be the launchpad to reach the national side.
“For me as a player, one of the targets would be to succeed in this year’s IPL,” Mayank told The Times of India on Friday. “I don’t want to be called a one-season wonder. You want to get better with every season. I don’t want anyone to point fingers at me and say that he didn’t perform after one season.”
“My aim is to add value to the side, and it doesn’t only have to be as an opener. If playing in the middle-order helps the team, so be it. Cricket is not an individual sport, it is a team sport. The team management decides what the role of a player should be; and, at the end of the day, as a player you have to go out there and perform,” said Karnataka batsman.
He also spoke about sharing the dressing room with his favorite cricketer, Virender Sehwag, and a host of other senior players in the squad.
“He [Sehwag] is my favourite cricketer. As a kid, I was always fascinated by the way he took the attack to the opposition and the way he dominated. What I would like to learn from him is his mindset while tacking various situations,” said Mayank. “The way he used to approach high-profile games, the way he handled spinners, and various pressure situations – all that I would like to learn. Besides him, I would also like to learn as much as possible from other stalwarts like Gayle, Finch and Ashwin.”
“I am looking forward to playing under Ashwin’s captaincy, and evolve under his leadership. At the end of the day, performance will be the key and I am hoping I can put in a good show,” he added.
