Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that the Sunrisers Hyderabad might target Mayank Agarwal in the upcoming IPL 2023 mini-auction. Pathan reckons since SRH need an opener and a new skipper after releasing Williamson, the Kalanithi Maran-owned franchise could buy Agarwal and appoint him as their new leader.
Ahead of the IPL 2023 auction, which is slated for December 23 in Kochi, SRH released a spate of players, which, surprisingly, also included Kane Williamson, their captain from the last one-and-half season and who also had led them to the final in 2018.
SRH had a topsy-turvy season in IPL 2022 under Williamson. They had a 5-match winning streak in the middle of the tournament, but apart from that, they could only win one other game and ended at the 8th position.
SRH have the largest purse of INR 42.25 crore.
Williamson himself had a torrid time with the bat – the right-hander averaged only 19 at a poor strike rate of 93! Not just Williamson’s dismal season with the bat and as a captain hurt SRH, but it seems that the owners and management feel he was holding too much of money- SRH had retained him for 14 crore.
Now, SRH can buy back Williamson at a cheaper price, but the auction dynamics suggest franchises don’t often get what they want.
They might look elsewhere and Irfan Pathan feels SRH could go after Mayank Agarwal, who has, similar to Williamson, been released by Punjab Kings after a disappointing season with the bat and a PBKS’ captain.
“SRH would like to take Mayank Agarwal, because they also need a kind of opener. They still don’t have Kane Williamson who led them for many years as an experienced player and who used to open the innings as well,” Pathan told Star Sports.
“Mayank Agarwal is the kind of person who has led a team, who plays quite freely. They might be thinking of taking him as a leader. So let’s see what is going to happen?”
Agarwal was retained by Punjab for 12 crore after KL Rahul left the franchise for Lucknow Super Giants. However, Punjab again failed to reach the playoffs and Agarwal’s form took a nosedive, leading to Punjab sacking their captain and releasing him in the auction pool.
For SRH, Agarwal importantly brings an aggressive brand as an opener, something they lacked with Kane Williamson at the top last season. Agarwal, with his immense experience, would complement Abhishek Sharma very well.
