Mayank Agarwal looks at the season ahead as IPL returns to India with fierce competition for the opening slots across formats for India, as the 30-year-old Karnataka batsman will need to make it count in the IPL 2021 season to stage an India comeback.
Mayank Agarwal’s last edition in the UAE was his best IPL season. The Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) opener hit his first IPL century, returned the best tally (424 runs), and average (38.54) in his 10 seasons. His form though dipped for India on the Australia tour. After two subdued ODIs, he failed in the first two Tests to be dropped and didn’t fare better on being recalled to bat in the middle-order in the final game in Brisbane.
Mayank Agarwal Will Look To Make The Best Use Of Opportunities In IPL And Isn’t Thinking About T20I World Cup
Mayank Agarwal debuted in Tests in 2018 and debuted in ODIs in 2020. To date, he has featured in 14 Tests and 5 ODIs. While his Test average is around 45, his ODI average is a mere 17.2. His IPL average of a modest 21.18 is also not up to the mark.
A 20-year-old Mayank Agarwal slog-swept his first ball for a six on IPL debut playing for his home franchise – Royal Challengers Bangalore – in 2011. He notched up his maiden fifty (at a strike-rate above 200) against a strong Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack led by Lasith Malinga. Despite possessing most of the attacking shots, one thing that’s been missing from him is consistency. It took him close to three years to register his second IPL half-century.
“It is wonderful IPL is back in India. Although we will miss the crowd, playing in India will be thrilling. I have been working hard on my fitness and skills in Bengaluru. The T20 format demands top fitness and sharp skills. Once we hit the nets, we will be in the groove. In the last IPL, I did well. I hope to make the most of the chance this season too,” said Mayank Agarwal.
“IPL is a long tournament with so many matches. I will look to make the best use of opportunities and let my performances help my team win the title. A good show in IPL always works wonders. As far as the T20 World Cup goes, I am not thinking about it. It is still quite far. But yes, I would like to make an impression,” said Mayank Agarwal.
“It is fantastic to see the team doing so well in all formats. Actually, I like the competition. It pumps me up, I’m more focused, raring to take up the challenges and better my performances. In the last two-three years, Indian cricket has gone upwards and I think it is in the most exciting phase at the moment,” Mayank added.
Mayank Agarwal represented Delhi Daredevils from 2014-2016. Ahead of the 2017 season, he was traded to Rising Pune Supergiant, but he took part in just three matches and was dropped from the playing XI on the back of poor outings. Following his incredible domestic season, Kings XI Punjab roped him during the 2018 IPL Auction. However, he couldn’t translate that success in the cash-rich league as he amassed just 120 runs in 11 matches.
Mayank Agarwal On Incredible KL Rahul: Enjoyed With Him As Partner
Another opener, skipper KL Rahul was the Orange Cap winner by virtue of being the highest run-getter in the IPL 2020 at UAE, where he amassed 670 runs at an average of 55.83. KL Rahul scored 659, 593, and 670 runs averaging above 50 in the last three IPL seasons, and Mayank Agarwal praised his skipper and opening partner.
“He(Anil Kumble) has a sharp cricket brain and knows exactly what he wants from me. I will be spending time with him in the nets ahead of matches. It becomes a bit easy when you have a coach like him, who knows your game well and also your potential. His inputs helped me do well last season,” said Mayank Agarwal on coach Kumble.
“Rahul is an incredible cricketer. His game makes scoring look very easy. It would be amazing to go out there and play together in Bengaluru. I have always enjoyed with him as partner at the other end. This is the fourth year we will be playing for Punjab,” said Mayank on KL Rahul.
“We missed qualifying for the playoffs last season by one victory. Punjab Kings need to be consistent and display a good brand of cricket to taste success. The team has been successful in clusters in the past, but we have lacked consistency,” Mayank opens up on Punjab Kings.
Punjab Kings did not reach the play-offs in IPL 2020 despite staging a stunning comeback, winning 5 games on the trot after a poor start. The Punjab-based franchise has only reached the play-offs twice so far in the IPL. The Punjab franchise has never won IPL but was semi-finalists in 2008 and runners-up in 2014. They were 6th in IPL 2020.
Punjab Kings Probable XI: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Dawid Malan/ Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Moises Henriques/ Deepak Hooda, Jhye Richardson, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh/Riley Meredith, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin.