Mayank Agarwal, born in 1991 at Bangalore, is primarily an opening batsman and has been piling on the runs over the past few seasons. Agarwal came under the spotlight when he struck 432 runs at an average of 54 in five matches in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in 2008-09. He followed that up with a match-winning 160 for India Under-19s, in a one-dayer against Australia Under-19s in Hobart in 2009. He also had a great U-19 World Cup the following year but couldn't help India do well in the tournament. Following that, he gratuated to the India A and has been in and around the side. Agarwal made his Ranji Trophy debut for Karnataka in the 2013-14 season; he made his T20 debut in 2010-11 and List A debut in 2011-12 but has struggled for consistency. He was dropped for the entire 2014-15 season, which according to Rahul Dravid was a "wake-up call" for the opener. Since then, he has worked on his fitness and technique and scored his maiden first-class century the following season. He has been a traveler in the IPL and has played for Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rising Pune Supergiant and is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab. However, his form in domestic cricket has been sensational over the past two seasons but was overlooked by the selectors until last year, when Prithvi Shaw was ruled out due to an injury and he was called up for the last two Tests against Australia. Mayank made his Test debut against the Aussies in the Boxing Day Test and registered two scores over 70 in the first two Test matches he played. Mayank is expected to be India's No.1 choice opener along with Shaw for the upcoming future after the World Cup.
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PBKS captain Mayank Agarwal missed out on the last game due to injury and is likely to make comeback in the game against DC.
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.
The Chandigarh-based franchise will make a formal announcement soon.
According to BCCI, the members were asked to report in Ahmedabad on 31st January 2022 for the upcoming three-match ODI and T20I series against the West Indies.
With regular openers Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul all missing games at some point last month, Agarwal grabbed the opportunity with both hands against New Zealand and South Africa.
The 30-year-old from Karnataka had lost his place in the team after being ruled out of the first Test in England due to concussion.
Agarwal, who played the series in the absence of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, failed in Kanpur but regained his form to score 150 and 62 in the second Test to win the 'Player of the Match' award.
Agarwal produced a 150-run knock in the first innings and followed that up with a 62-run innings to be adjudged player of the Match.
The Indian opener says his focus is now on the South Africa tour which will start from December 26.
Agarwal got hit on his right forearm while batting in the second innings on Day 3; Gill got a cut on his right middle finger while fielding on Saturday.
Agarwal, who has been in and out of the squad in recent times, scored a fine 120 under pressure on the opening day of the second Test before which he watched legendary Sunil Gavaskar's batting videos and slightly changed his stance.
Agarwal (120 batting, 246 balls), who is all but certain to sit out once Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul come back during the next series (if South Africa then away, if West Indies then home), added to a happy headache for coach Rahul Dravid, on a day when vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane had to be "dropped" because of a hamstring niggle.
The opener is also looking forward to the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand slated after the T20 series.
The pair stitched a 120-run opening stand in 71 balls to provide a perfect start to Punjab's chase of 186
In case he is unable to play, KL Rahul, who has mostly opened in Test matches but prefers a middle-order slot these days, could be asked to face the new ball first up.
In case he is unable to play, KL Rahul, who has mostly opened in Test matches but prefers a middle-order slot these days, could be asked to open.
The match has been accorded first-class status, a first for India in many years since Mahendra Singh Dhoni took over captain
The Indian cricket team in England is fretting over the fitness of Gill who is doubtful for the first Test.
Jaffer, the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy cricket, also spoke about Gill's injury and said that it'll be a "big" blow for the youngster.
Former NZ coach Mike Hesson believes that Mayank Agarwal, who fell out of contention due to poor form and injuries, should also be considered in the XI.
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