Big update on Punjab’s skipper for 2022 season: Mayank or Dhawan, who the franchise will trust?
Mayank Agarwal (Image Credit)
If reports are to be believed, Punjab’s opening batter Mayank Agarwal is set to become the next skipper of the team. Agarwal was retained by the franchise last November alongside uncapped Indian left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. This month, they bought players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Mohammed Shami, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, etc. A while ago, team co-owner Mohit Burman was asked whether Dhawan or Agarwal will lead the team.
Burman didn’t answer the question but hinted that Agarwal will lead the team by saying that a senior player, who has been part of the team for long understands the mindset of the coach. The team is yet to name their skipper after KL Rahul left the franchise last year and was signed by new entrant Lucknow last month.
Rahul was one of the highest-run for the team during 2018-2021. He got more than 500 runs every season for the 2014 finalist. His opening partner Mayank complemented him well with more than 300 runs every season from 2019-2021.
Meanwhile, as per a report in Times of India, Punjab is keen to make Mayank Agarwal the captain of the side, ditching Dhawan, who was also one of the contenders to lead the side. “In all likelihood, Mayank will captain the side. The announcement is expected later this week. Dhawan is a welcome addition to the side and was always on the radar at the auction. He is a champion player but it seems Punjab were keen on Mayank as captain ever since KL Rahul left the team,” said an ITL source.
Mayank, in a recent interview, had also said that he is totally ready to take the leadership role. “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,” Agarwal told MensXP.
The right-hander said that he is not stressed about the responsibility of the job. “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,” he added.
