In the 2017-18 Ranji season, Agarwal's performance was jaw-droppingly good. In 8 matches and 13 innings, Agarwal scored a mammoth 1160 runs at an astonishing average of 105.45
Mayank Agarwal. Pic/ PTI
With scintillating performances in India's ongoing Test series against South Africa, Mayank Agarwal has all but cemented his place at the top of the order. He deserves all the praise and if you hear his back-story, your admiration for him will grow manifold.
In the 2017-18 Ranji season, Agarwal's performance was jaw-droppingly good. In 8 matches and 13 innings, Agarwal scored a mammoth 1160 runs at an astonishing average of 105.45. In the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Agarwal scored 723 runs at an equally astonishing average of 90.37.
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Unfortunately, the doors of the Indian cricket team at that time were not open. All that Agarwal got in exchange for his efforts, was a place on the bench during India's tour to West Indies in 2019. He had to wait for his opportunity, and when it came, he made it count. The runs scored in the domestic circuit helped his confidence and he had the correct mindset to not get frustrated. "I don't go out to bat thinking that this knock will get me a place in the India side. I go out with a blank mind. If I'm destined to play, I will," Agarwal was once quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
His story comes as a huge lesson for all of us. When the chips are down, and if your best isn't good enough, it's important to keep faith that your time will come.
All said and done, Agarwal's real Test will come when he plays in alien conditions of South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. He is used to playing first-class cricket on the turning Indian pitches, but can he boss the game in the bouncy wickets of England? Only time will tell.
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