My focus is to go and score runs, rest is not in my hands

MUMBAI:MAYANK Agarwal scored runs in heaps — for Karnataka and India ‘A’, toiled for a couple of seasons before getting an India debut in the Melbourne Test in December. Eager to stamp his mark, the 28-year-old opener finished with two half-centuries in three innings against Australia. His showing Down Under also earned him a twoyear bat sponsorship with CEAT tyres. As he puts his head down to prepare for future, Agarwal spoke about the turning points in his career, change in training routines and mantra for success.

Excerpts:

You have been around for a long time. Can you point out the one moment that was a turning point of your career?

The triple hundred against Maharashtra in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season. It was the first time I got a

triple hundred and I batted quite fearlessly. It was a breakthrough in many ways — I let go of the fear of failure and played with a lot of freedom, played with a plan.

What changes did you bring in your training that led to a very successful 2017-18 season?

I had started a lot of long-distance running. I worked on myself physically as well as mentally as I wanted to lose some weight. At times there were moments my body told me ‘okay, I’m tired and I want to give up’ but you keep pushing and telling yourself that ‘this is the target I have set for myself and this is where I will stop’. Working on my technique, and looking to improve in every aspect of my cricket was the focus and the results came. I have kept this routine for four-five years. The runs were coming but they weren’t coming consistently. With all of this they started coming consistently and then it got a lot easier.

Was it frustrating initially not being included in the India team, especially after the 2017-18 season?

Playing a lot of India ‘A’ helped. Knowing that I was batting well and scoring was quite reassuring. There were times when I was mentally down and I spoke to Rahul Dravid and he guided me through that phase. I’m really grateful for somebody like him to have guided me. Every time I communicated with him, I learnt something. But that said, it was all about what a player can do and what he can’t. Only thing a player can do is go out and keep performing.

In the beginning you were termed a shorter format specialist. How did to manage to turn that around?

I have always tried to stick to the way I played. But working on my game, trying to understand my strength and weakness helped me in the longer format as well. (As I progressed) I learnt how to manage caution with aggression.

Last IPL wasn’t that great for you. What went wrong?

I had hoped for a good IPL and prepared for it but it didn’t work out. Obviously, there were a lot of things I learnt from my failures which I have worked on this year and continue to work on before the IPL. I have had four good tournaments out of five so I take that as a plus.

Your shorter format aspirations?

My focus is to go and score runs, rest of the thing are not in my hands and don’t want to think much about it. That said, I have got runs in shorter format as well and I’m ready whenever I get an opportunity.

What did you feel when you were told you would make your Test debut in Melbourne? How comforting was it to have KL Rahul beside you?

When I entered Melbourne the whole team was very welcoming and it felt like home. They (team management) had told me couple of sessions before the Test to be prepared as there is a good chance that ‘you may get the game’. I was just focused on preparing for the game. With KL obviously I share a different rapport.

Nice to have him (beside me) as we have played together since we were 12-year-old.