Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Mayank Agarwal recently reflected on his remarkable journey from going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction to lifting the trophy later that season. Initially overlooked by all franchises, Mayank eventually earned a spot in the RCB squad as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal.
Sharing his experience, the opener revealed that he was participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when the IPL auction took place. After remaining unsold, he took some time to introspect and identify the areas in his game that needed improvement, determined to come back stronger in the following season.
“When I went unsold at the IPL auction, I gave myself 6–8 hours to reflect. I was honest with myself and realized there were areas I needed to improve to come back stronger next season,” Mayank Agarwal shared on the RCB Podcast.
“It Was Make or Break” – Mayank Agarwal Reflects on Crucial RCB Trial Before Earning His Spot
The star batter went on to share that he had to undergo trials before being officially signed by the RCB management. He described the experience as both interesting and valuable, saying he genuinely appreciated the process. Mayank mentioned that earning his place meant proving himself through performance, which he successfully did.
He also felt that the trial sessions played a crucial role in preparing him for real match scenarios, helping him handle pressure situations more effectively.
“Andy (Andy Flower) was very straightforward and he said man this is a selection match. It’s make it or break it and and it was good because I was put in a spot and I had to perform and that is the most if I do well that is the most likely situation that probably I would be facing if I got picked in the team and I thought that was really good. I was happy. I did well.”
After finally earning his place in the RCB squad, Mayank Agarwal’s first home fixture against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was unfortunately washed out due to rain. Earlier, he had been in the stands as a spectator during RCB’s match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai, cheering for the team like a fan.
Mayank later shared his reflections on watching that game from the stands and spoke about his thoughts when the KKR clash was abandoned without play.
“The game against KKR got washed out and it was a hard time for me. I was impatient, or just wanting for things to happen. We did not have much practice. I wanted to be in that action. It is what it is. It was mixed for me. I did not feel like I am left out.”
“Never felt like I should have been there, but always felt like I would like to be there. Going for that game against Chennai to watch was like acceptance that I am not part of the IPL. I had no attachment to that except being a Bangalore boy and going to watch that game,” he stated.
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