India Blue’s Mayank Agarwal (92 runs) has been the pick of the batsman thus far in the rain affected second match in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. After his team was asked to bat, the opener was involved in a 151-run opening stand with his captain, Gautam Gambhir in their match against India Red under lights with the pink ball to lay a solid foundation for the side.
While discussing his knock, Agarwal mentioned that batting with Gambhir was an experience in itself. “I have never batted with Gautam bhai before and I thought it was a tremendous experience batting with him. During the innings, he shared his experience about handling certain situations at the start of the innings. He kept reinforcing important points like when the ball is moving, when the ball seams off the wicket; not to follow the ball just play the line,” he added when asked about a specific instance.
Speaking about his experience with the pink ball, Agarwal said, “I think it was pretty nice; a good experience to play the pink ball under lights. As much as people speak about the ball moving, which is bound to happen, but I think it is mind over matter more than anything else. It did move.”
Discussing the difference between playing with the pink ball vis-à-vis the red, he observed, “I feel the ball is a little heavier than the red ball. After about 12-15 overs, it starts to come on to the bat nicely because the ball is a little heavier.”
Asked if facing Kuldeep Yadav under lights is different than under natural light, he said, “Kuldeep was getting the ball to drift under lights. And I thought that he bowled with good control as well. He kept hitting the right areas and kept asking questions of the batsmen.
“I felt that there was nothing alarming (about reading him) but sometimes you don’t really get to see the seam because its night (and therefore) dark and the seam is also black in colour. In daylight, the seam is very evident, very clear,” he explained further.
Speaking about his dismissal he added, “I was looking to dominate him and I thought that was one too many shots. I tried to bat as long as I could and it is not that suddenly at 90 that I decided (to after the bowling). I was looking to be positive against him (Kuldeep) because he was bowling in good areas.”
Speaking about his knock, he said, “As far as I look at it, I am happy that I batted well. I will take confidence from this innings. I am getting into a good position. As much as I feel bad about missing the century, I am also happy - that a 92 is better than getting out early. I will take it looking at the brighter side, though it is quite hurtful to have missed out.
“When I was picked, I was really looking forward to come out here and give my best and score runs. Every game we play is important some way or the other,” Agarwal concluded while reflecting on the opportunity to play in the Duleep Trophy.
