As India’s 15-member squad was selected by the BCCI for the upcoming Nidahas Trophy Twenty20 tri-nation series, swashbuckling batsman Mayank Agarwal would have thought he had a chance to make the cut. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
The in-form Karnataka player has been in prime form with the bat across all formats in domestic cricket, but he was still overlooked by the MSK Prasad-led selection committee. So score bagful of runs, yet not make the cut in a second string side would have definitely left the dashing opener gutted.
After a successful tour of South Africa, the BCCI decided to rest the regular players as the likes of Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya besides bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah were all given a rest. Several new faces made the cut, yet Mayank did not find a place for himself.
Team selection isn’t only about justice….it’s more about balance. Picking players for the slot they’re best suited for. Feel for Mayank Agarwal. #NidahasTrophy
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 25, 2018
India play Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo to mark the latter’s 70 years of independence with the series starting from March 6 onwards. And one may feel that the series with lesser importance then that of the tour to South Africa, Agarwal could have been given a look and tested as an opener.
Red hot form
The 27-year-old has been on top of his game in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy leading his side to the final of the tournament and setting an epic battle against Saurashtra. Mayank’s brilliant shot making and aggressive play has paid dividends and that in turn has been a good ploy for his side.
The player has already smashed three centuries and three fifties in seven matches on road to the finale and has been the thorn for opposition bowlers.
Stat attack:
- Mayank Agarwal’s scores in the Vijay Hazare Trophy read as – 109, 84, 28, 102, 89, 140 and 81
- Mayank has scored 2051 runs across all formats in 2017-18
The flow from the bat has come after a truck load of runs scored in the First-class matches. He amassed 1,160 runs for Karnataka and with a lot of hard work and practice, the player seems to have finally reached his potential.
Career Statistics:
- First-class – Matches 37, Runs 2917, Best 304*, Average 51.17
- List A – Matches 53, Runs 2512, Best 176, Average 47.39
- T20s – Matches 100, Runs 2220, Best 111, S/R 130.97
The road ahead for Mayank
With the chance gone begging for the upcoming Nidahas Trophy, Mayank now needs to continue with the flow and keep his bat do the talking. More runs will promise an opportunity and make the selectors think hard in considering him.
In the upcoming Indian Premier League 2018, Mayank is set to represent Kings XI Punjab after he was bought for a whopping Rs 1 crore. Playing so effortlessly, blended with a lot of panache, Mayank needs to get some vital games under his belt and make the chances count. He could be their best bet as an opener providing a lot of support to Chris Gayle.
The likes of KL Rahul and Aaron Finch could follow suit in the batting order that also boasts the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair and Marcus Stoinis. If he does well in IPL 11, then there could be a possibility for him to get a chance in India’s next T20I assignment.
India play Ireland and England next and Mayank knows he needs to grab an opportunity that could knock the door.
Dhawan could have been rested
Shikhar Dhawan had featured for India in one Test match against the Proteas and then went on to play all six ODIs followed by three T20 matches. The southpaw was seen in mesmerising form in the limited overs format and after playing tirelessly, one feels he could have been given a rest for the Nidahas Trophy. But rather the selectors went ahead with Dhawan besides naming him as Rohit’s deputy.
This is one place where Mayank could have come in and opened the innings alongside Rohit. With KL Rahul in the mix too, the latter could have come in at No. 4 if given the chance. A ploy that the BCCI looks to have missed especially with the IPL next and then another long tour for the national team.