We've always been taught to concentrate on the process: Mandeep Singh

For a young batsman like Mandeep Singh, the ongoing tour of Zimbabwe is like a slippery slope. Notable performances may not necessarily translate into long-term future in the national side but failure will be viewed under the microscope.
After India's defeat on Saturday, Mahendra Singh Dhoni made a strong point in the press conference, about the need for the youngsters to seize their opportunities. Mandeep, who made his debut and scored 31 in the loss, is one such cricketer who would've hoped to make the most of it. Despite having 101 Twenty20 games to his name, Mandeep spent the whole of Indian Premier League 2016 warming the bench while KL Rahul, his opening partner in Zimbabwe, got the chance to re-invent himself as a cricketer and excel in the shortest format.
That he was nervous ahead of his debut on Saturday was understandable, but it's his ability to successfully toggle between the nerves within and the task at hand that brought him the success on Monday, despite a sleepless night before.
"When I went out in the first game, I was quite nervous about it being my first game. The moment I took stance, all I thought was about winning the game. I honestly forgot that it was my first game. And that is the biggest credit to BCCI and NCA for the way they've built us up - 'Play ball to ball and look to win the match', rather than thinking about the series or anything else.
"I couldn't sleep well last night, if I can be honest. Could have been match pressure or nervousness. Par mujhe lagta hai jab main andar jaata hoon, toh aise lagta hai bas batting karni hai, match jitaana hai(but I feel the moment I step on to the field, I have to bat well and win the game for my team)" Mandeep Singh revealed in the post-match press conference after India's 10-wicket win to level the three-match series, on Monday (June 20).
"In my opinion, if we keep thinking about Zimbabwe not winning a series or the fact that the selectors are watching us, then there will be more pressure. We have all played together, Rahul and the rest, we're taught this at the NCA about concentrating on the process."
With only 100 to get, Rahul and Mandeep took the chance to ensure they left a mark in the series. After the Indian bowlers ran riot to restrict Zimbabwe to a sub-par total on a wicket that seemed a little tough for batting, the Indian openers took their time to carry their bats.
"According to me, the wicket wasn't easy for shot-making. The ball was keeping a little low. At the start I was trying to hit hard, because I generally play aggressively. But I watched Rahul and he asked me to calm down a little and try to time the ball. The ball isn't going to come onto the bat on this wicket. Slowly I controlled the nerves and then I was fine."
Mandeep survived two dropped catches but made the most of it by going past the 50-run mark with a boundary that sealed India's ten-wicket win with 6.5 overs to spare.