Hyderabad opener Tanmay Agarwal has had prolific Ranji seasons back-to-back: 934 runs in 12 innings at an average of 77.83 in the 2024-25 season, and 765 from eight innings at 95.62 in the Plate Group in 2023-24.

Seven of his 17 First-Class centuries, in a decade-long career, have come in the last two Ranji seasons.

Adopting the ‘take-it-easy’ policy has done the trick, he said on Saturday. “A bit of luck and the change in my mindset — the way I approach the game — have made a difference.

Earlier, I used to be very serious and if I was not getting the desired result, I would be harsh on myself. Nowadays, I have started taking it easy, because cricket is a game, ultimately. It isn’t life and death for me,” he said at the Guru Nanak College ground here.

Laxman’s advice

The 30-year-old said that batting legend V.V.S. Laxman helped him by providing clarity and confidence.

“I spoke to him in 2022, I think, after I was not picked for the IPL. He gave me a little clarity. I told him what I was going through but he said that it is pretty normal. I think I was 27-and-a-half. So, he said people (around that age) pretty much go through the same phase.

“He gave me confidence and a (road)map saying ‘you can do this, you can do that.’ He also suggested a Tony Robbins (popular motivational speaker) book which helped me,” said Tanmay.

Nowadays, Tanmay scores daddy hundreds. He hit the fastest First-Class triple century (366) in 2024 and notched up scores of 173, 159, and 177 last Ranji season.

“I worked on my fitness for the last two years, so that I don’t get tired after scoring a hundred. The Yo-Yo score was up drastically. And the 2 km time trial was also better. So, that helped me achieve my big hundreds,” said Tanmay.