IPL 2022: 'IPL Captaincy Is Weighing Down On Mayank Agarwal': Sanjay Manjrekar Says India Star's Form Has Been Affected

The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen a couple of new skippers arising among the Indian players such as Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya.

Shreyas Iyer returned to driving a group with Kolkata Knight Riders while Hardik Pandya has had a fantasy start as a commander with Gujarat Titans liable to complete the league stage at the top of the points table.

While Iyer has had blended results as commander he has scored 351 at a strike rate of 130.48. In the meantime, the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Mayank Agarwal have seen their own form plunge.

Have Seen A Lot Of Gambling Happening With IPL Captains: Sanjay Manjrekar

While Jadeja gave captaincy of Chennai Super Kings to MS Dhoni and was ultimately managed out of the competition with a physical issue, Agarwal has remained skipper of the Punjab Kings and their possibilities of fitting the bill for the playoff games endured a shot after their defeat to Delhi Capitals.  

“We have seen a lot of gambling happening with captains in the IPL. It has been given to people you wouldn’t expect. Sanju Samson as captain of Rajasthan Royals, who would have expected that.

“Mayank Agarwal, when the auctions were happening, we were wondering are they going to be making him the captain? Because when you see certain players and you wonder they have the leadership capabilities,” said former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar.

Mayank Agarwal Made It Challenging For Himself By Surrendring Opening Slot: Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar said that Agarwal might have made it challenging for himself as a player by surrendering the opening spot for Jonny Bairstow. While Agarwal has bragged some of the most noteworthy strike rates in the last two seasons and scored north of 400 runs, he has scored only 195 runs this season at a strike rate of 125.00.

“Some people surprise you, Shreyas Iyer got it out of nowhere but he looks the part. Hardik Pandya was a big gamble and he has done pretty well. Yes, I think it is weighing down on him. We have seen enough to know that maybe he has just taken that responsibility too much. 

“The sacrifices is one example of him taking the captaincy very seriously. Now, in hindsight, Shikhar Dhawan would have been an easier choice.

“Mayank at the top of the order almost always struck quicker and better than KL Rahul at the top of the order so they have lost that batter in the process,” said Manjrekar.

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