IPL 2022: Punjab Kings’ new captain talks about the team’s prospects

New Delhi: Punjab Kings’ newly-appointed captain Mayank Agarwal believes the franchise has built a title-winning team for the IPL starting March 26. After four seasons with the team, Agarwal has been given the leadership responsibility following the innings of his opening partner KL. Rahul for the Lucknow franchise. Agarwal scored over 400 runs in the last two seasons and formed one of the strongest opening pairs in the IPL with Rahul, but the team failed to make the play-offs.

Punjab was praised for having picked up the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow and Odeon Smith in the IPL auction. Apart from the other retained player in Arshdeep Singh, Punjab also bought back the uncapped power-hitter Shah Rukh Khan. The team has performed poorly over the years and their only final appearance was in 2014.

Management has pinned hopes on its latest recruits to turn the fortunes of the team. “We are confident that we have a title-winning team and now it is up to us players to showcase their skills under pressure and see what we can get out of it,” Agarwal said.