I did not imagine the season would turn out this way: Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal’s domestic campaign began on a poor note back in October when he was dismissed for 31 runs against Assam, followed by a pair against Hyderabad. However, he bounced back and made history to become the only Indian to score more than 2000 runs in a domestic season.

The spree began with Agarwal smashing an unbeaten triple century in Pune and five months hence, he is basking in the glory of an extraordinary season. In that time he has changed perceptions, broken records and simply taken his batting notches higher.

“I definitely did not imagine the season would turn out this way. Especially after the start. But I’m just grateful to God. The difference [from previous seasons] is that I know my game better and I know myself better. Having got those insights, I can deal with situations better,” he said.

About non-selection in national team

Unfortunately, the terrific season was not enough for the selectors to include him in the Indian team for the triangular T20 series in Sri Lanka. However, he is still on their radar and is personally not worried about what happens in that regard.

“It’s all about what you have in your hand now. And in today’s scenario, we have a lot of games. So there’s always something to look forward to,” he said, as reported by Sportstar.

He was India’s top-scorer in the U19 World Cup in 2010 and since then many in Karnataka had predicted a quick rise to the top for Agarwal. The rise was far from quick but the 27-year-old has no regrets even though it is only now that he has strung together a series of big scores in first-class cricket.

“People say, ‘Oh you were right on track, what happened?’ and this and that…But I think everyone walks a different path. Everyone makes their journey differently. There’s no point in comparing. To say, ‘Oh, how come he’s got there early?’ or ‘He’s not got there’…I don’t think we should do that. Your time will come when it has to.”

His campaign in the Deodhar Trophy begins on Monday and he is aware that he cannot rest. More so because, for the players, one eye will be on the India cap. After being a major contributor to Karnataka’s title victory in the Vijay Hazare trophy, Agarwal may well be the backbone of his team in the Deodhar Trophy.

“Our dressing-room culture is such that no individual is bigger than the team or the game. Whether I’ve got runs previously or not, today I have to start from zero. I have to be aware of that and be very humble. I know this game is a great leveller,” Agarwal concluded.

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