Mayank Agarwal Eyes Heaps Of Runs, Stays Positive About India Return

From a team perspective it made sense when Rohit Sharma emphasised the need for India to have a left-hander in their top-order, while welcoming Yashasvi Jaiswal to the opener's slot for the Test series against West Indies. But the statement might just have come as a jolt to a few other aspiring openers. Mayank Agarwal is one of them. Now, the Karnataka right-hander will have to play the waiting game to make his return. Mayank last played for India against Sri Lanka in the Day-Night Test in March 2022 at Bengaluru. However, positivity has not ebbed out of the 32-year-old.

"See, I am somebody who does not think too much about it. I have been dealt a hand and I don't have much control on what hand I have been dealt with. But I really want to put in everything from my side. On every given opportunity, I want to go out there, score runs and win games. Whatever has to come its way, it will come," said Mayank.

When a player is aiming to make a comeback to the national side, he will have to amass a mountain of runs. Failure, even in one innings, is hardly an option.

Mayank was aware of the task ahead, but remained unfazed.

"I don't look at it as pressure, as I look at it as opportunity. Like I said, wherever I play, whichever tournament I play I want to go and get runs. I am somebody who I can ask myself some tough questions over the years.

"I play with a lot of intensity. I am a very intense character. But off the field I am relaxed. I know how to switch off with the Vipasana (a breathing exercise) and as you said being a father also adds a bit to it," he said.

Runs have rarely dried up for Mayank in domestic circuit either.

The opener had scored 990 runs in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, and he started the current term with