Indian opener Mayank Agarwal is set to lose his leadership role for Punjab Kings in the IPL after a disastrous season this year. Punjab Kings had a disappointing IPL 2022 season, finishing in sixth place and once again failed to qualify for the Playoffs stage. They had a new skipper in charge – Mayank Agarwal, who replaced KL Rahul who joined Lucknow Super Giants last season.
Ahead of IPL 2023, PBKS have already decided to part ways with head coach Anil Kumble and is also considering sacking Mayank Agarwal as captain.
Jonny Bairstow will replace Mayank Agarwal as Punjab’s new skipper
As per InsideSport, England’s Jonny Bairstow could lead the side in the upcoming IPL 2023 season. “No Mayank is not in plans to lead. He will need to focus on batting. He will be a crucial player for us. As for Anil, we are discussing a few options but nothing has materialized yet. We have time left. We will take a call at the right time,” a Punjab Kings official told the InsideSport website.
Mayank Agarwal had one of his worst IPL seasons and it was unfortunate for him that this lean run happened during his maiden captaincy stint. Mayank, who usually opens, opted to bat lower down the order and that did no good for him. He scored only 196 runs in 13 games at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 122.50.
On the contrary, Bairstow has been in ominous touch for his national side and that could be one of the major reasons to consider the English cricketer as a good candidate to take the Kings forward. In IPL 2022, Bairstow managed to score 253 runs from 11 matches with two half-centuries at a strike rate of 144.57 and a best of 66.
Meanwhile, PBKS have already begun searching for their new coach with more than six months left for IPL 2023. The franchise is reportedly in talks with Eoin Morgan, Trevor Bayliss and one former India coach.
Highlights:
• Mayank Agarwal to be sacked as PBKS captain.
• Jonny Bairstow will likely replace Agarwal as skipper.
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