Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) batsman Mayank Agarwal is hopeful of his first "breakthrough" season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE. Apart from that, the team's determined right-hander also wishes this to be the season where he is finally a part of the title-winning team.
In his career in the league so far, Agarwal has played 77 matches with a record that he wouldn't surely be proud of. However, in the last season, the earnest Indian cricketer adjusted brilliantly to the middle-order role and struck 332 runs in 12 innings at a strike-rate of 141.88.
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"I've been scoring runs at different levels, but the fact remains I haven't had a breakthrough IPL season yet [in ten years now], so I'm looking forward to correcting that. Also, I'm looking forward to being part of a winning IPL team. I came close in 2017 [with Rising Pune Supergiant]," Agarwal told ESPNcricinfo.
The 29-year-old believes the combination of skipper Rahul and coach Anil Kumble and their influence on the side will help Kings XI players optimise their full potential.
"KL [Rahul] and I started together, played India Under-19 together, we've opened in Tests. We've been part of a World Cup team. This is his first time as captain, and I'm excited for him. We've both played under Anil [Kumble] Bhai at RCB."
"As a coach, Anil bhai has been meticulous in his planning and has given us specific roles. When someone gives you clarity to the extent he has, it gives you a clear picture of where you stand and what you should do to get to the next level."
A Test opener for India, Agarwal feels the batting riches around him in the Kings XI set-up has only helped him swiftly perform the middle-order duties.
"We're a fun group of players at Kings XI. [Chris] Gayle, KL, [Nicholas] Pooran, [Glenn] Maxwell - all of them love to express themselves on the field."
"Anytime you go out to bat after, say, a Gayle or Rahul, your job automatically becomes a tad easier because even if one of them has started off well, the pressure isn't staring at you when you walk in."
Agarwal started training as soon as it was allowed when the first set of restrictions within COVID-19 lockdown were lifted. He says during that time and even now when he is in UAE striving for match-fitness, the KXIP coaching staff has provided him and others really good support.
"As soon as the lockdown was lifted, I started training with my personal coach, RX Murali. I was in touch with Anil bhai regularly during the lockdown period. He was a great source of guidance."
"He's studied my game, so he spoke to me about areas I can look at improving, aspects I can consider incorporating, the scoring areas I can possibly open up. Also, I've been working on a few things on the mental side of things. So while training, I've tried to incorporate all this into practice."
"A month's time [in UAE] is good enough for us to assess the wickets and train accordingly. Obviously the conditions will be much different to India in October-November. I think the plans we've put in place and the little bit of training we've done [in Bangalore] will come in handy," he signed off.
