IPL 2022: Not really thinking about captaincy role at PBKS, says Mayank Agarwal
India Today
IPL 2022: Mayank Agarwal said he is ready to take up the responsibility of the captain of Punjab Kings. The India opener was one of the two players that PBKS retained ahead of the mega auction.
Punjab Kings star Mayank Agarwal said he is ready to give take up the responsibility of the captain at Punjab Kings for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 if it comes his way but that he is not too stressed about it.
Mayank was one of the two players who were retained by Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The India opener was retained for Rs 12 crore after they released former captain KL Rahul, who will now Lucknow Super Giants in the 10-team season, which is likely to start in the final week of March.
However, Punjab Kings are yet to name their captain after having assembled a squad packed with firepower for IPL 2022. Punjab also bought former Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has the experience of leading in the IPL.
Head coach Anil Kumble did not reveal the management's decision on captaincy after the auction and maintained that they will make an announcement sooner than later. Co-owner Mohit Burman had hinted in an interview that Mayank, who has been with PBKS since he was bought for Rs 1 crore at the IPL 2018 auction, might be handed over the reigns because of his familiarity with the set-up.
"Obviously, if I am made the captain, I am totally up and ready for the responsibility but I will do everything that is required of me as a player if demanded. Whether I am made the captain or not, whatever responsibilities are given, whatever will be demanded of me everything will be done from my side," Mayank told MensXP.
"I am not too stressed about it. I'm not really thinking about it. If given the opportunity, I'm ready for it and looking forward to taking the responsibility and if not, I'm still looking to give everything that I have and take any role that is given by the franchise."
PBKS have assembled a strong squad with the likes of Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith and Kagiso Rabada getting big-money deals at the IPL 2022 mega auction. The former finalists will be keen on getting their combination right in order to make a mark in the new season after a disappointing last few years in the league.
