Focussed Mayank Agarwal not worried about Team India snub
What's the story?
Inexplicably overlooked for the Nidahas trophy despite being in a super-rich run of form, Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal is focussed on the task at hand and is not overly concerned about a missed Team India spot.
"I think India call-up is not in my control, and I don't want to think about it too much now. I want to focus on the task at hand and that is the Vijay Hazare Trophy final. We'll be playing on the 27th, and the talk in the dressing room is that the people who are doing well right now have to take the team through. That's what we've spoken about", Agarwal told CricketNext.
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Mayank seems to have struck a goldmine with his form recently, having garnered a jaw-dropping 2051 runs across all formats this year. His last four scores read 81, 140, 89 and 102.
Given his batting exploits, he was touted to be included in the low-profile T20I tri-series in Sri Lanka, especially because several first-team players were reported to be rested.
However, the 27-year-old did not find his name in the final squad, with the selectors including the likes of Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, and Rishabh Pant to fill in for the rested Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
The heart of the matter
Along with his coach MX Murali, Mayank has been training religiously to work on his technique and temperament.
“There's a lot of things to worry about in cricket, and thinking about selection can only worry you. And when you're playing a game that should be your sole focus. So these things don't really cross your mind," he said.
India's highest run-getter in the 2010 U-19 World Cup squad, Mayank has progressed to play for the India-A side, but has still not managed to break into the senior squad.
What's next?
While the Indian team will soon travel to the island nation to play yet another series involving Sri Lanka, Mayank will be with the Karnataka side, preparing for the all-important Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Saurashtra on February 27.
Author's take
An enterprising batsman with a quiver full of strokes, Mayank has been making all the right noises at the domestic level, hardly putting a foot wrong during his record-breaking run spree.
In a chat with Sportskeeda during the Karnataka Premier League last year, he had stated how he dreams of representing India in a World Cup, and winning the title for his country.
While the dejection of a missed opportunity will be playing on his mind, Mayank, with enough experience behind him, would be aiming to continue doing the talking with his bat. Tomorrow, if not today, the selectors will surely open their eyes.