Mayank Agarwal Recalls How Rohit Sharma's Advice Helped When He Struggled During Windies Tour

Mayank Agarwal was last seen in action against New Zealand, where India played a two-match Test series.

Photo: @BCCI (Twitter)

Indian cricket team's youngster Mayank Agarwal revealed on how senior star batter Rohit Sharma helped him to gain his confidence back again after losing his form during India's tour of West Indies. Agarwal wasn't able to score many runs in the two-Test series he played against Windies in August 2019. Team India's regular opener in the longest format, managed to attain just a single 50 plus score during the tour. "That was exactly the feeling after the West Indies tour, I said to myself man what is happening? You had a good start and you planned and planned. I remember Rohit Sharma was sitting next to me, he told me that there is a difference when you play your first series and your second series, he told me that there is a certain expectation from me to perform," Agarwal told Sanjay Manjrekar in a videocast hosted by ESPNCricinfo. "But he told me not to add more pressure on myself to perform, he advised to play like it's my first match, I have taken this advice and I try to follow it every time," he added. Agarwal was last seen in action against New Zealand, where India played a two-match Test series. However, New Zealand defeated India 2-0 after a dismal performance in white-ball cricket against the same opponents. The Karnataka batsman also revealed how India A coach Dravid played a pivotal role to keep his head straights. "I was getting runs you know. I got massive runs that Ranji Trophy season and for India A. I did have a word with Rahul bhai. I told him I was getting thoughts of sometimes not getting picked," Agarwal told Sanjay Manjrekar in a video uploaded on ESPNcricinfo website. "I very clearly remember him telling me 'Mayank these are the things that are in your hands. You have worked hard, you have gotten here. You are as close as you can get. Selection is not in your hands'. "And I totally agreed with him. Theoretically you understand that but practically it's not easy. But he put forth few things - 'What is to say that the coming October and November is not going to be different from September. If you think otherwise you will get into a negative mind frame it's you who is going to lose out and nobody else'. So I remembered that talk and that kept me going," Mayank added. "When I got the call I was elated and I called him up and thanked him. I didn't think that if I am going to play or not but I was just happy to be part of the Indian team."