The Goal is to Play for All Formats for the Country - Mayank Agarwal

India’s recently recruited opener, Mayank Agarwal said he wants to represent the country across all formats. Making his international debut at the MCG on Boxing Day last year, Mayank impressed instantly – scoring a fifty in his first inning. However, his journey wasn’t smooth, as the selection committee made him wait for his turn notwithstanding his records in the domestic structure. Though Mayank was not there on the squad for Australia Tests, a few coincidences saw him getting his Test cap in front of a massive crowd in Melbourne.

I have the game to succeed in limited-overs cricket – Mayank

The right-handed batsman had a reasonably good outing at the ‘G’ – scoring 76 off 161 balls, hitting eight boundaries and a six. Since India dominated the Test after posting 443/7 dec in the first innings; Mayank didn’t get to bat in the second innings, as Virat-led side won the match to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Meanwhile, in a bid to attain a spot in the limited-overs side, Mayank said he has the game to prosper in white-ball cricket. The Karnataka player added sticking to the basics is key despite the format. The only thing which a batsman could change is the game plan as per the conditions.

“Obviously the goal is to play for the country in all three formats,” Agarwal told Reuters in a telephone interview.

“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). “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.”

Playing Tests was a great experience, says the opener

Though Mayank’s first outing could be tagged nervy, his second one at the SCG – the venue for the fourth Test was all but sublime. Not only he hit fours so smoothly, but the Karnataka batsman also completed his second fifty.

Scoring 77 runs, Mayank got out to Lyon shutting his hopes of scoring his first hundred in Tests. Looking back at his inning, he noted he was left disappointed on missing out on a century.

“I’m still disappointed about that. I could have had a century there. I was looking to attack him. I have learnt from that mistake,” he said. “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.” Mayank concluded.

Now, Mayank Agarwal will ply his trade for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL 2019.