Overview
Mayank Anurag Agarwal is an Indian international cricketer who plays primarily as a right-handed opening batter. He represents Karnataka in domestic cricket and has captained the side in the Ranji Trophy. Agarwal made his Test debut for India in December 2018 against Australia and is known for his run-scoring consistency in first-class cricket, particularly during the 2017–18 domestic season when he amassed a record-breaking tally of runs across formats.
Key facts
| Full name | Mayank Anurag Agarwal |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 February 1991, Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Bowling style | Right-arm off-break (occasional) |
| Role | Opening batter |
| Domestic team | Karnataka |
| Test debut | 26 December 2018 vs Australia, Melbourne |
| ODI debut | 2020 vs New Zealand |
| IPL franchises | Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants, Kings XI Punjab / Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad |
Background and early life
Mayank Agarwal was born and raised in Bangalore, Karnataka. He received his early cricket training in the city's age-group circuit and rose through Karnataka's junior teams. He attended Bishop Cotton Boys' School and later studied at Jain University, Bangalore. He represented India at the Under-19 level and was part of the India squad at the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup held in New Zealand, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
Domestic career
Agarwal made his first-class debut for Karnataka in the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy. After a few moderate seasons, he transformed his career through a remarkable 2017–18 domestic season. In that season, he scored more than 1,300 runs in the Ranji Trophy, including a triple century against Maharashtra, and topped run charts across the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Deodhar Trophy. He was named Cricketer of the Year by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the 2017–18 season at the BCCI Annual Awards.
He later captained Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy, succeeding senior players in the leadership role.
International career
Test cricket
Agarwal was called up to the India Test squad during the 2018–19 Border–Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and made his debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 December 2018, scoring 76 in the first innings. He cemented his place in the side by scoring his maiden Test century against South Africa in 2019, which he converted into a double hundred (215) at Visakhapatnam. He followed this with another double century (243) in the next Test at Pune, becoming one of the few Indian batters to score back-to-back double centuries in Tests.
Limited-overs cricket
He made his One Day International debut for India against New Zealand in 2020. He has also represented India in Twenty20 Internationals.
Indian Premier League
Agarwal has featured in the Indian Premier League since 2011, beginning with Royal Challengers Bangalore. He subsequently played for Delhi Daredevils and Rising Pune Supergiants before becoming an established opener for Kings XI Punjab (later Punjab Kings), where he also served as captain. He was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad in subsequent seasons. Among his notable IPL innings is a score of 106 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2020.
Playing style
Agarwal is regarded as a technically organised opener with the ability to play long innings in red-ball cricket while also possessing the strokeplay required for limited-overs formats. He is particularly strong square of the wicket on the off side and through cover.
Honours and recognition
- Player of the Tournament, 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
- BCCI Domestic Cricketer of the Year (M. A. Chidambaram Trophy), 2017–18.
- Madhavrao Scindia Award for highest run-scorer in a Ranji Trophy season.
- Back-to-back Test double centuries against South Africa, 2019.
Significance
Agarwal's emergence in 2018 helped India address a long-standing search for a stable Test opener following the retirements of senior batters. His domestic record, especially during 2017–18, is considered among the most prolific seasons in recent Indian first-class history and is often cited as a model for converting domestic consistency into international selection.
Related topics
- Karnataka cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- India national cricket team
- Punjab Kings
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup
- Border–Gavaskar Trophy
References
- Board of Control for Cricket in India, Annual Awards records.
- International Cricket Council, player profiles and tournament archives.
- ESPNcricinfo and Wisden statistical records for first-class and international cricket.