India opener Mayank Agarwal on Thursday (December 23) said he got benefitted immensely by spending time understanding his mind space while being away from the national team.
Agarwal had lost his place in the team after being ruled out of the first Test in England due to concussion.
However, the right-hander bounced back strongly in the recently held home Test series against New Zealand. He registered scores of 150 and 62 to script India’s series-clinching 372-run victory in the second Test in Mumbai.
"It is not a fresh start. The last one year that went by was a lot to do with understanding myself and understanding what ticks me and what hadn't worked for me," Agarwal told KL Rahul during a chat for bcci.tv.
"I am glad that I could comeback and put in the performances and I look to do the same."
Commenting on head coach Rahul Dravid's contribution in the process of understanding himself, Agarwal said, "For me, he has just been a person who talks about understanding yourself and understanding your mind space. If you can work that out and sort that out then more often then not you are giving yourself best possible chance to succeed."
"Knowing him, he is a man who really strives and puts the onus on a good strong preparations. We had quality sessions here and we are looking forward to playing the Test match."
Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul share a very healthy camaraderie. Before playing together for India, they have shared a dressing room for the Karnataka state team and the Punjab-based franchise in the IPL.
Rahul hoped their friendship will help them to score runs together and win India matches, starting with the opening Test against South Africa in Centurion on December 26.
"My journey has been beautiful, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. You have been part of my journey and I have been in yours and we both had to work hard for this, for both of us it has been a beautiful journey," KL Rahul said.
"We had our doubts if we play for India and we never gave up our dreams and worked harder and it is amazing to sometimes sit back and think how we started and where we are today, it is magical for me.
"It is just the beginning for us and we still have a long way to go and the friendship and understanding we have shared for so many years will only help us build better partnership and win more matches for the country."
(With PTI inputs)
