The mind often surrenders to the body: Mayank Agarwal | Cricket News

BENGALURU: For someone who is known for being rigorous with routine, life during confinement can be frustrating. India starter Test Mayank Agarwal, however, has done well to fight the blues.

The 29-year-old, when not playing, is known for crossing the city for his physical routines and training. It is usually in the networks less than 24 hours after arriving from a long tour abroad.

But given the prevailing circumstances, Mayank has not had a networking session in five weeks. Rather than sulking, the talented hitter has embraced the situation, is grateful for what he has, and is living in the present instead of thinking about the future.

Excerpts from an exclusive interview …

How hard is it for a busy cricket player to become a domestic bird?


When the blockade was imposed, for a brief moment I felt I was no longer an asset. It was as if my contribution went from something to nothing. Suddenly, I needed to do something other than my sport that would help me add value at home and improve myself at the same time.

Is this the longest time you’ve been completely away from cricket?

Yes, probably the longest I have not been able to beat on the networks. For most of us who are used to having a busy schedule and routine, it is difficult not to do what we are used to. Rest is nice, yes. But not having something to wait for, and not knowing when all this is going to end and we can get back to the routine, is a bit strange.

As hard as we work, we also have to be flexible to understand the situation and respond accordingly. For me, it’s about accepting the situation, which was helping out at home and supporting the government by staying inside, following the guidelines, and contributing in any way I could.

How much did Vipassana (meditation technique) help?

A lot, because meditation is a journey inside. It’s about getting to know you and understanding yourself better. It creates awareness and helps you to respond better to situations. Having gone through that (the course) and having so much more time available to get back on that trip again has helped.

Has this time helped you reflect on life?

Yes. It has made me even more grateful for everything I have and what we have been blessed with. I feel lucky for the three meals I eat. I think that as an athlete we are lucky to have the opportunity to go out and practice a sport. This phase has made me count more my blessings.

How difficult is it to maintain exercise routines at home?

Physical fitness for me is not just about working on the physical aspect. It is also a lot of mental discipline, because there are times during training or exercise when you feel like stopping. You just don’t feel like going beyond limits. As athletes, we often know that the mind surrenders to the body. So having a mentality to be in shape helps to break that mental discipline.

How much has this time outside of sport allowed you to pursue or develop another interest?


I want to make the most of it and get out of this phase as a better or more complete person. I have spent my time cooking or helping in the kitchen and I have realized that simple things like chopping vegetables can make a huge contribution. I love reading and I am catching up too. I have also used this time to chat with my family and friends, virtually.

The book you have recently read?


‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. It is a self-help guide that helps you deal with and respond to different situations. In those moments, with so much negativity around, it is easy to get in a bad mood or feel bad. Books like this help you understand and overcome the situation.

What is your message for young athletes who are waiting for this difficult period?


As a child, I dreamed of playing for India and I said to myself, ‘I will do everything I can to get there.’ Be very clear in your mind about what you want to achieve and then pursue your dreams, no matter what. Not everyone is successful, but you should never find yourself lacking in hard work. This situation is not under our control, please make the best use of this time. Use it to focus on what you want to do. Work on yourself and don’t let discipline escape you. Also, work to become a better person. Remember, there are many people who fight for one meal a day, so we should be grateful for what we have.

Are you worried about the uncertain future?


In these times, it is important to think beyond our sport. The harsh reality is that there are far more important things to worry about in the world than playing sports. In any case, we have to think about how we can contribute.