Mayank Agarwal has been named as the captain of Punjab Kings for the upcoming IPL 2023. Ahead of IPL 2023 Mega Auction, Punjab Kings retained Mayank Agarwal for a whopping amount of INR 12 Crores.
Mayank Agarwal Named as Punjab Kings Captain
Mayank has been an integral part of Punjab Kings since 2018. He has served as the squad’s vice-captain and has also briefly captained the team last season
“We want to create a strong foundation for the future with Mayank at the helm. He is hardworking, enthusiastic, a team player with all the attributes required of a leader. I look forward to working with him as captain and believe that he will lead this team to a successful campaign.”
Mayank, who has played 100 IPL games since making his debut in 2011, has officially been appointed as the captain of a franchise for the first time.
Speaking of his promotion, the Indian international said, “I have been at Punjab Kings since 2018 and I take a lot of pride in representing this fantastic unit. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the team. I take over this responsibility with utmost sincerity, but at the same time, I believe my job would be made easier with the talent we have at the Punjab Kings squad this season.
🚨 Warning #SherSquad 🚨
Our 🆕© ➜ Mayank Agarwal
Send in your wishes for the new #CaptainPunjab 🎉#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #TATAIPL2022 @mayankcricket pic.twitter.com/hkxwzRyOVA
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 28, 2023
“We have some vastly experienced players in our ranks, along with many talented youngsters who are keen to grab the opportunity and run with it. We have always taken to the field hoping to win the title and as a team we will once again work towards this goal of lifting our maiden IPL trophy. I thank the team management for entrusting me with this new role of leading the side. I look forward to the new season and the new challenges it brings with it.”
Agarwal, who has in the past turned out for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Rising Pune Supergiant, and Royal Challengers Bangalore joined the Punjab franchise in 2018 when it was still called Kings XI Punjab.
After a slow start – he scored 120 runs at a strike rate of 127.65 from 11 innings in his first season – he has been one of the team’s leading batters. His 332 runs in 2019 came at a strike rate of 141.88, and as he forged a strong opening pairing with KL Rahul, the captain till last season, Agarwal scored 424 runs (SR 156.45) and 441 runs (SR 140.44) in 2020 and 2023 respectively.
Overall, in 11 seasons of playing in the IPL, Agarwal has 2131 runs at an average of 23.41 and a strike rate of 135.47.
