India vs Australia: Kept reminding myself there is a plan, says Mayank Agarwal

MELBOURNE: Mayank Agarwal admitted to going through an emotional roller-coaster before knuckling down to do a critical job for Team India — see off the new-ball threat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the MCG.
“It wasn’t easy to keep those emotions in check and focus on the job that needed to be done. I just stuck to my plans and just kept reminding myself ‘there is a plan, and I am just going to stick to that.’ Even though it was overwhelming, it was good and I am happy with the way I started,” Mayank disclosed at the end of the first day’s play.“It was a tremendous feeling to get the India cap at the MCG and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.”
The 27-year-old opener from Bengaluru, who had been waiting in the wings for over two years, capped his Test debut with a fine 76 — the second-highest score by an Indian opener making his debut overseas. He narrowly failed to beat Sudhir Naik’s 77 versus England in 1974. “I am happy (with 76) but obviously I would have liked to score more runs and remain unbeaten at the end of the day.”
Considered to be a white-ball ‘specialist’ for his ability to hit big and over the top, Mayank had to work hard to establish his Test credentials. “The basics remain the same in all formats and you have to stick to what you have been doing best. I have got runs in T20s, one-dayers and now in a Test. I am happy that I have been able to adapt. As a player you want to play all three formats, and playing Test cricket is the biggest thing,” he said.
Mayank stated that he never felt frustrated at being repeatedly ignored despite piling up the runs in domestic cricket. “You think about it but being a professional, you tell yourself ‘that’s not something you can control’ and move on and see what comes next,” he said. Playing domestic cricket has been a boon for Mayank. “Every player has to score runs in Ranji Trophy. When you play Ranji Trophy for five years in all parts of India, you learn a lot,” he added.
He also lauded the Australian bowlers for their discipline.