Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal

Role: Batter
DOB: 18 February 1991
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: N/A

The Story of Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal, a name synonymous with aggressive opening batting, hails from Bangalore, Karnataka, and has been a prominent figure in the Indian domestic circuit for over a decade. His journey to the IPL spotlight wasn’t an overnight sensation but a testament to relentless hard work and a never-say-die attitude. After impressing in age-group cricket, including the U19 World Cup, Mayank first donned an IPL jersey for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011, a dream debut for a local lad. However, his early years were a struggle for consistent opportunities and form, bouncing between RCB, Delhi Daredevils, and Rising Pune Supergiant, often playing cameo roles.

The real turning point in Mayank’s IPL career came when he joined Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018. While 2018 was modest, it was the 2019 season where he truly started to find his rhythm, scoring 311 runs with three half-centuries, showcasing glimpses of the destructive opener he was destined to become. But it was the 2020 season in the UAE that etched his name into IPL folklore. Partnering with KL Rahul, Mayank unleashed a torrent of runs, including a breathtaking 106 off just 50 balls against Rajasthan Royals, a knock that almost single-handedly won a high-scoring thriller. This season, he amassed 424 runs at a stunning strike rate of 156.41, proving he belonged at the top tier of T20 cricket.

Mayank’s playing style is characterized by his fearless approach and clean hitting. He loves to take on the bowlers from the very first ball, often targeting the powerplay overs to maximize scoring. His strong bottom hand allows him to generate immense power, particularly down the ground and through the leg side. While he’s known for his aggressive intent, he also possesses the technique to play conventional cricket shots, making him a versatile opener. His ability to switch gears and anchor an innings, as demonstrated in several crucial knocks, adds another dimension to his batting. Off the field, Mayank is known for his calm demeanor and strong work ethic, a true professional dedicated to his craft.

Despite his peak form in 2020-2021, the subsequent seasons saw a dip in his performance, leading to a challenging period. His leadership stint at PBKS in 2022 didn’t yield the desired results, and a move to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023, while showing flashes of brilliance like his 83 against PBKS, didn’t fully reignite his consistency. After a brief, less impactful stint in 2024 and being unsold in 2025, Mayank now finds himself at a crossroads, but his past heroics remind us of the explosive potential he still possesses.

IPL Journey: Team by Team

Mayank Agarwal’s IPL journey has been a true roller coaster, spanning multiple franchises and evolving roles. He began his career with his home franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), in 2011, bought for a modest INR 10 lakhs. He spent three seasons (2011-2013) with RCB, playing 21 matches but struggling to cement a permanent spot in a star-studded lineup, scoring 259 runs in total.

In 2014, Mayank moved to Delhi Daredevils (DD), acquired for INR 1.6 crore. He found a bit more consistency here, playing 23 matches over two seasons (2014-2015) and scoring 376 runs, including two half-centuries. His 68 against his former team RCB in 2015 was a standout knock. Following this, he had brief stints with Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in 2016 and 2017, where opportunities were scarce, playing only 7 matches and scoring a mere 84 runs.

The turning point arrived in the 2018 mega-auction when Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), later rebranded as Punjab Kings (PBKS), secured him for INR 1 crore. This move proved to be a masterstroke for both Mayank and the franchise. He spent five seasons (2018-2022) with PBKS, becoming a cornerstone of their batting lineup. His value skyrocketed, and he was retained by PBKS for a whopping INR 12 crore ahead of the 2022 mega-auction, even taking on the captaincy. During his time at PBKS, he scored 1500+ runs, including his maiden IPL century and multiple match-winning fifties, forming a formidable opening partnership with KL Rahul.

However, after a challenging 2022 season as captain, PBKS released him. In the 2023 auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) picked him up for INR 8.25 crore, hoping he would provide stability at the top. While he scored 270 runs with two fifties, including a crucial 83, the team struggled, and his impact was not as consistent as desired. For the 2024 season, he was traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a surprising move, marking a return to his first IPL team. However, his second stint was brief and less impactful, playing only 5 matches before being released. He went unsold in the 2025 auction, leading to his current status for 2026.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

From a betting standpoint, Mayank Agarwal is a high-risk, high-reward player. When he fires, he can single-handedly change the complexion of a game, making him an attractive option for ‘Top Batter’ or ‘First Six Hitter’ markets. His aggressive intent means he often gets off to quick starts, which can be valuable for ‘Powerplay Runs’ bets, especially on flat tracks.

• Strengths: Mayank’s primary strength lies in his ability to dominate pace bowling, particularly in the powerplay. He has a strong pull shot and can hit through the line with ease. On true, bouncy pitches, he can be devastating. His strike rate, when in form, is among the best for Indian openers. He’s also a decent fielder, capable of taking sharp catches.
• Weaknesses: Inconsistency has been Mayank’s Achilles’ heel. He tends to have periods of lean form where he struggles to convert starts. He can be susceptible to quality spin, especially early in his innings, and sometimes struggles against movement off the pitch. His aggressive approach can also lead to early dismissals, making him a risky bet if the pitch offers something for the bowlers.
• Conditions They Thrive In: Flat, hard pitches with short boundaries are Mayank’s playground. He loves pace on the ball and conditions that allow him to hit through the line. Venues like Mohali, Bangalore, and Mumbai often bring out the best in him.
• Matchups: Bet on Mayank against teams with weaker pace attacks or those relying heavily on medium-pacers. He generally performs well against bowlers who offer width or pace without much variation. Bet against him when facing top-tier spin attacks (e.g., Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal in their prime) or bowlers who can exploit his discomfort against swing/seam early on.
• Consistency Metrics: His average and strike rate have fluctuated significantly across seasons. Look for signs of recent form in domestic tournaments or warm-up games. A string of low scores usually indicates a prolonged lean patch.
• When to Bet On/Against: Bet on Mayank when he’s had a couple of good scores in recent matches, playing on a batting-friendly surface, and facing a bowling attack that lacks genuine pace or high-quality spin. Consider betting against him if he’s out of form, on a slow or turning pitch, or against a team with a strong, varied bowling attack that can exploit his early vulnerabilities. His ‘Total Runs’ line can be a good indicator – if it seems inflated based on recent form or pitch conditions, consider the ‘Under’.

Key Records & Milestones

• Maiden IPL Century: Scored his first and only IPL century (106 off 50 balls) against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020, which was, at the time, the second-fastest IPL century by an Indian batsman.
• High Strike Rate Season: Achieved a career-best strike rate of 156.41 in IPL 2020, showcasing his explosive hitting prowess.
• Consistent Opener for PBKS: Was a pivotal part of the Punjab Kings’ opening pair from 2019-2021, consistently scoring over 300 runs in those seasons, including 424 runs in 2020 and 441 runs in 2021.
• Highest Score as Captain: Scored 52 runs against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 while leading Punjab Kings, his only fifty as captain.
• Over 2000 IPL Runs: Crossed the significant milestone of 2000 career IPL runs during the 2022 season.

IPL Season Highlights

Mayank Agarwal’s career truly peaked in the 2020 and 2021 IPL seasons, where he established himself as one of the most destructive openers in the league.

IPL 2020 (Punjab Kings): This was Mayank’s breakout season, where he amassed 424 runs from 11 matches at an exceptional average of 38.54 and a blistering strike rate of 156.41. The highlight was his sensational 106 off 50 balls against Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah, a knock laced with 10 fours and 7 sixes, nearly chasing down a mammoth 224-run target. He also scored a vital 89 against Delhi Capitals in a Super Over thriller, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure. His aggressive starts often set the tone for PBKS’s innings.

IPL 2021 (Punjab Kings): Carrying his form into the next season, Mayank continued to shine, scoring 441 runs from 12 matches at an even better average of 40.09 and a strike rate of 140.41. He registered four half-centuries, including a magnificent unbeaten 99 off just 58 balls against Delhi Capitals, a masterclass in controlled aggression. He also captained the side in a few matches, demonstrating his growing leadership capabilities and consistency at the top of the order.

While his 2023 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (270 runs, 2 fifties) showed glimpses of his old self, particularly an 83 against Punjab Kings, it wasn’t enough to replicate the sustained brilliance of his 2020-2021 purple patch. His subsequent stints in 2024 and 2025 were less fruitful, leading to his current status, but the memories of his explosive best remain etched in IPL history.