IPL 2022: Mayank Agarwal should have been given freedom – Harbhajan Singh

Former Indian veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh feels Mayank Agarwal should have given freedom in the recently concluded Tata Indian Premier League 2022.

Agarwal could not deliver the goods while opening the innings for Punjab Kings and thus pushed himself down the batting order to give Jonny Bairstow a chance at the top of the order.

Mayank was leading PBKS for the first time in his career and he wasn’t able to get going for his team. The right-hander scored 196 runs in 13 matches for PBKS at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 122.50. Thus, he could not lead from the front in IPL 2022.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings could not qualify for the playoffs stages as they finished at the sixth place after seven wins in 14 matches in the points table. In fact, the Mohali-based franchise failed to win two matches in a row throughout the season.

The Turbanator feels Mayank Agarwal came under captaincy pressure and he should have been given more freedom by the team’s management.

Harbhajan Singh said in an interview with Sportskeeda: “Can’t quite believe what happened to Mayank Agarwal this season. He is a good player but maybe he was under pressure due to captaincy. He came down to No.4 from his opening spot. I think he should have been given freedom. He was under the radar throughout.”

On the other hand, Wanindu Hasaranga played a key role in RCB’s success as he was right on the money. The Sri Lankan spinner scalped 26 wickets in 16 matches for RCB in TATA IPL 2022 at an average of 16.53 and an economy rate of 7.54. Thus, he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker of the season behind Yuzvendra Chahal. Bhajji added it was a joy to watch Hasaranga bowl.

“Hasaranga came in as a surprise package and ended up as a match-winner. We knew he was a good bowler, but the way he set up batters and showed his skill, it was a joy watching him bowl.”

Meanwhile, RCB qualified for the playoffs after winning eight matches in the league stage. They also defeated LSG in the Eliminator but their journey in the tournament came to an end when they lost to RR in the second qualifier.