India opener Mayank Agarwal is expected to lead Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), PTI reported on Wednesday (February 23).

Agarwal was one of the two players that were retained by the Punjab-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction.

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“In all likelihood, Mayank will captain the side. The announcement is expected later this week,” PTI quoted an IPL source as saying.

During the mega-auction, held on February 12 and 13, PBKS roped in leading names such as Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Kagiso Rabada and bought back left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar and swashbuckling Tamil Nadu batter Shahrukh Khan.

Dhawan’s name was doing the rounds for the leadership role, but the management was keen on having Agarwal as the captain even before the auction.

“Dhawan is a welcome addition to the side and was always on the radar at the auction. He is a champion player but it seems Punjab were keen on Mayank as captain ever since K L Rahul left the team,” the source added.

Mayank Agarwal had captained PBKS for a few games last year when KL Rahul was injured. With Rahul now part of the Lucknow Super Giants squad, Punjab Kings need a full-time captain heading into the upcoming season.

Agarwal has also been impressive with the bat for Punjab in the last couple of seasons, amassing 400+ runs. He had made his IPL debut in 2011 and has played 100 games thus fear.

(With PTI inputs)