When Mayank Agarwal returned to the dressing room after scoring 90 runs for Board President’s XI against West Indies, he got the biggest news of his career so far.
Mayank Agarwal got his maiden Test call-up on Saturday when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming Test series against West Indies.
Agarwal has been knocking on the door for a quite some time - scoring a lot of runs - over 2,000 across all formats last season to be exact. Given his rich form, his elevation to the senior squad has been a matter of when not if.
However, for the Karnataka batsman it is just the start.
"My hard work has paid off but there is a long way to go. It is just a start. I will try to keep the same momentum if I get a chance to play for India," he told Indian Express after his selection.
Agarwal revealed that while he was unofficialy told about his selection, he patiently waited for the confirmation. After the team was announced he spoke to his parents.
When asked about how he remained focussed for the past year after not being selected in team, he credited Rahul Dravid's advice. He said that Dravid told him to focus on what he can control and to be in the present.
"He told me that I have a good work ethic and when someone like Rahul bhai tells you that you are going in the right direction it means a lot. Everyone needs someone senior as a guide and I am thankful that he was there for me," he said.
He also revealed how Karnataka captain Vinay Kumar backed him when he was about to be dropped from the Ranji team a few years ago.
Agarwal scored 300-odd runs in the next match and has not looked back since.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was the other new face in the Test squad, while uncapped opener Prithvi Shaw and middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari were retained.
