I don't want anyone to say that he didn't perform after one season, reveals Mayank Agarwal

There is one name that has been in the papers for all the right reasons in the Indian domestic circuit this season - Mayank Agarwal. The Karnataka opener had a record-breaking 2017-18 season where he amassed 1160 runs in 13 innings at a stunning average of 105.45 in the Ranji Trophy. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 258 runs in 9 innings at a strike-rate of 144.94 while he added 723 runs in 8 innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

Overall, he scored 2232 runs with 8 centuries and 9 fifties. During this domestic season, he shattered numerous records and the best of them was the record for most runs in an Indian domestic season. All this wasn’t enough as the 27-year-old opener was overlooked by the Indian selectors for the Nidahas Trophy where a number of fringe players were handed the chance to don Indian colors. However, the batsman has revealed that he isn't too disappointed with the same and realizes the fact that performing for one season is not enough to get a place in the National side. 

“For me as a player, one of the targets would be to succeed in this year's IPL. I don't want to be called a one-season wonder. You want to get better with every season. I don't want anyone to point fingers at me and say that he didn't perform after one season,” Mayank Agarwal told TOI. 

Kings XI Punjab have filled their side with a number of explosive batsmen and hence Mayank will have to fight for his spot in the talented team. The likes of Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, KL Rahul, and Karun Nair will be vying for those two opening spots. Thus, there is a possibility that Agarwal could find himself in the middle-order. 

“My aim is to add value to the side, and it doesn't only have to be as an opener. If playing in the middle-order helps the team, so be it. Cricket is not an individual sport, it is a team sport. The team management decides what the role of a player should be; and, at the end of the day, as a player, you have to go out there and perform,” the Karnataka opener added. 

The IPL gives players like Mayank Agarwal the opportunity to interact with international players and use their experience and knowledge to become better players. Thus, with stalwarts like Gayle, Ashwin, Finch, and Sehwag (mentor and team director) in the side, the 27-year-old Karnataka player will be looking to pick their brains. 

“He (Sehwag) is my favourite cricketer. As a kid, I was always fascinated by the way he took the attack to the opposition and the way he dominated. What I would like to learn from him (Sehwag) is his mindset while tackling various situations," Agarwal added. "The way he used to approach high-profile games, the way he handled spinners, and various pressure situations - all that I would like to learn. Besides him, I would also like to learn as much as possible from other stalwarts like Gayle, Finch and (Ravichandran) Ashwin,” Mayank added. 

Mayank is also looking forward to playing under the new KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin.

“I am looking forward to playing under Ashwin's captaincy, and evolve under his leadership. At the end of the day, performance will be the key and I am hoping I can put in a good show,” the 27-year-old who was bought for 1 crore by the Kings XI Punjab. 

The IPL is all set to start on April 7 and Kings XI Punjab will start their campaign against Delhi Daredevils on April 8.