To be part of historic win in your debut series tops list, says Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal, India’s Test cap No. 295, could not have asked for a better start to his international career. The right-handed opening batsman from Karnataka who turned 28 four days ago, recalls the experience of walking out to bat on Boxing Day in Melbourne and what it feels like to be a Test player in this exclusive chat with G Krishnan. Excerpts:

Could you have had a better start to your Test career? Debuting at MCG on Boxing Day, being part of a historic series win and scoring two fifties in three innings.

To be a part of a historic win in your debut series tops the list. To make a debut at MCG was a very very big moment and a big experience for me.

Can you recall the moment when you walked out to an almost-packed MCG in your debut? Were you nervous?

I was nervous walking in, to be honest. When I walked in to the rope and looked around, I was like 'Wow!, I am in the middle of something big'. Packed stadium, huge ground, a lot of noise. I was very nervous. I just kept telling myself that I have a plan and need to keep sticking to it, no matter where I am and in what situation. If I keep sticking to my plan, let's see as it comes. Being in the middle for a couple of overs, the nerves started to ease out and it became a lot easier.

Can the huge MCG ground be intimidating for a debutant, considering its rich history?

It can be intimidating for the history it has. The stadium is huge. The amount of noise, the amount of buzz can be intimidating but as a player, you have got to leave those things aside and focus on the things that you can control and focus on going out there and giving your best with a proper in mind.

Who eased you into your Test debut?

The whole team was very welcoming, very warm. As soon as I reached and went to the practice sessions, I felt at home.

You know you could have got a century in each of your two Tests – 76 at MCG, 77 at SCG. What happened?

At MCG, just the ball before tea, the ball (from Pat Cummins) kicked from length, climbed on me and took the glove off. I wasn't very very disappointed with that. I thought I batted well, it was my first innings. I was quite happy with the way I played. It was a quick bounce, something I did not expect. That was fine. I was more disappointed with the way I got out in Sydney. But my plan was to attack him (Nathan Lyon) so I could put a lot of pressure on them (Aussies). It did not work out and a lesson learnt. The plan was to keep attacking him and if we could keep scoring runs off him, it would have been extremely hard for them.

Did you prepare extra for Lyon?

We had prepared well for him with Sanjay Bangar sir. We created the rough at practice. We had a clue of how and at what pace he bowls, what are the areas he was looking to bowl. We had that clue and we had prepared for him accordingly. After that, it was about going there, executing the plans, trusting your instincts and trusting your game.

You shared a half-century and a century stands with man of the series Cheteshwar Pujara. What did you learn from him?

I really enjoyed watching him grind a bowling attack out, watch him spend time (in the middle). He is so calm and very composed. He knows his game and always stuck to his strengths. Whatever was not his strength, he just defended or kept leaving. That's something that we can all learn from him.

You took a brilliant catch to dismiss Aaron Finch. Can you recall how it came about?

The plan was to bowl straight to Aaron Finch and look to get him out by not giving him too much width. I had gone there (short mid-wicket) a couple of balls before that. I was standing there ready. As a fielder, you know when the bowler is going to bowl in that area and the plan is there, you have got to be ready for the catches. We were very very happy because it was plan executed well and a plan that worked for us, to get his wicket. That joy was tremendous. It was very very nice to actually plan a wicket and execute it. And when things go as per plan, it was fantastic. The bowlers discussed their plans at the bowlers meeting. And, as a fielding unit, we have discussed about half chances and difficult chances that we can convert and create pressure.

You were in New Zealand with India 'A' before going to Australia? Did NZ prepare you well, though the conditions may have been different?

Playing in New Zealand was definitely helpful. Also, the conditions weren't very very different. They were a little similar to some extent. Having played with the Kookaburra ball and pitches that had bounce and seam, it did help in preparing for Australia.

Last year around this time, you had loads of runs in Ranji Trophy. Now, you have made your Test appearances. Have things changed for you?

Well, not as much, except for the fact that I have played Test cricket, the confidence of playing in Australia and getting runs there, having experienced playing Test cricket was one of the best, being part of a series win in Australia that has never happened before was elating.

What have been the lessons learnt since you first made it to the Test squad at home against the Windies and then making it to the XI?

Well, handling pressure is one thing, understanding your role, going out there and executing it, and doing what is required for the team was something that we spoke about and practiced a lot.

When you returned from Australia, was there pressure to score big when you played in Ranji Trophy or in the Irani Cup?

The thought is that wherever you go, you want to go out there, give your best and get as many runs as you can, and being an asset to the team. Making a difference to the side is something I look forward to always. I want to keep adding value wherever I go.

Does the approach to domestic cricket change once you taste international cricket?

I don't believe so. The approach remains the same. You are going out there to represent your side, you are going out there to win. You have got to do whatever preparation you do, keep working as hard as you did for any other tournament you play.

Now that you have made it to the Test side, how difficult is it to stay there?

I think, it is about preparing well, believing in your ability, going out there and executing your plans. Having a clear-cut plan, understanding what your game is and playing to your strength is what needs to be done.

Now that you have made it to the Test team, what should you be doing to break into the limited-overs side?

Obviously, it is every player's dream to play all formats for the country. That's the plan. It would be nice representing the country in all the three formats. That said, the only way to go about is to go out there and keep scoring runs.

Looking ahead, what goals have you set for yourself?

I don't discuss my goals. I keep them very tight to me. We (Karnataka) are heading in to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) tournament and the thing is to go out there and win the tournament for your side.

(This interview was facilitated by CEAT, who signed a bat deal with Mayank Agarwal recently)

AGARWAL IN TESTS

76 & 42 in Melbourne (debut)
77 in Sydney

AGARWAL IN FIRST-CLASS CRICKET

50 matches
85 innings
6 Not out
3,964 runs
304* highest
50.17 average
8 hundreds
23 fifties
30 catches

DID YOU KNOW?

Mayank Agarwal played the Ranji Trophy semifinal for Karnataka against Saurashtra after returning from Australia, scoring 2 & 46. He also played in Irani Cup for Rest of India against Vidarbha last week, scoring 95 & 27