Dravid's words kept me going before long-awaited India debut, says Mayank Agarwal

BENGALURU: India opener Mayank Agarwal has revealed how a conversation with former captain Rahul Dravid kept him going before his long-awaited Test debut against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Boxing Day Test of the 2018/19 series.

Agarwal got off perfect start on the international arena as he slammed a fighting 76 against a top-class Aussie bowling attack. He has since gone on to become a regular in the longest format and has made the opening slot his own.

In just 17 innings, he has scored 974 runs at an average of 57.29. Mayank has also scored four fifties and three centuries and have provided the team with the much-needed consistency at the top of the order.

But things weren't always so rosy for Mayank as according to his own admission, thoughts regarding India berth kept coming into his head before his Australia sojourn.

He also revealed how India A coach Dravid played a pivotal role to keep his head straight and away from negative thoughts.

"I was getting runs you know. I got massive runs that Ranji Trophy season and for India A. I did have a word with Rahul bhai. I told him I was getting thoughts of sometimes not getting picked," Agarwal told Sanjay Manjrekar in a video uploaded on ESPNcricinfo website. IANS 

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