Aakash Chopra, Shreyas Iyer
Aakash Chopra (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Punjab Kings (PBKS) batsman Mayank Agarwal is the most underrated Indian player in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Mayank Agarwal is a vital member of Punjab Kings (PBKS), he has been consistently performing well for the franchise over the years and got a permanent opening slot in the team alongside KL Rahul.

In the 12 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 games Mayank has scored 441 runs at an impressive strike rate of 140.44 and an excellent average of 40.09.

Mayank Agarwal
(Image Credits: Twitter)

Speaking on his YouTube channel Aakash Chopra opined the 30-year-old gives a wonderful performance but not gets the credit he deserves. Chopra stated:

I feel Mayank Agarwal is highly underrated. He is a runaway match-winner and put up a brilliant performance in the IPL. He played 12 matches, ended up with a wonderful average and an amazing strike rate. Still, somehow, no one talks about him.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator feels that the reason behind Mayank being underrated is him opening the innings with big-ticket player KL Rahul. Aakash Chopra said:

People talk about everyone from Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul to Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. This is all fine, but where is Mayank? He has performed exceptionally well.

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal
(Photo: BCCI)

I feel he is highly underrated because he opens the innings for Punjab Kings (PBKS) with KL Rahul. Since Rahul is a big-ticket player, Mayank has always played in his shadows.”

Mayank Agarwal Can Be A Leader – Aakash Chopra

Mayank Agarwal, IPL 2021, IPL 2022
Mayank Agarwal (Image Credit: Twitter)

The 44-year-old claimed that Mayank Agarwal will be a Captaincy candidate for the two new franchises which will be joining the Indian Premier League (IPL). Chopra asserted:

I have a feeling that Mayank will be a captaincy candidate for one of the two new IPL teams that will be entering the fray next year if Punjab Kings release him. He can be a leader.

Also, Former Indian opener mentioned that Mayank has an “astute cricket brain”. Chopra elaborated:

“I have heard from a number of my sources that he has a very astute cricket brain. Also, he always puts team before self, which has been evident in the way he has batted. I would say Mayank is a highly underrated but high-value cricketer.”

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Sonanchal Gautam is the Assistant Content Manager at Cricketaddictor. He is a professional Wrestling and Hip-hop enthusiast.