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"Make It Or Break It" - RCB Head Coach's Message That Fired Up Mayank Agarwal
Follow UsThe 34-year-old joined RCB later in the season as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal
Karnataka batter Mayank Agarwal has opened up about the emotional and professional rollercoaster he went through after going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, before making a stunning comeback as a replacement player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and eventually helping the franchise lift their first-ever IPL trophy.
Speaking on the RCB Podcast (as reported by Times of India), Agarwal recalled how he processed the disappointment of not being picked initially. “I gave myself 6–8 hours after the auction. Yes, thoughts came; I haven't got picked, this could have been, that could have been, but I was brutally honest with myself: 'yes, you aren't picked.'
"There have to be a few places you need to work on, and if it's even just a couple of things, why not work on that? Rather than leaning on auction dynamics, I just kept asking, what can I improve right now? I listed points with my batting coach and started immediately."
The 34-year-old joined RCB later in the season as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal, and went on to make a good impact. In four innings, Agarwal scored 95 runs at an average of 31.66 and a strike rate of 148.43 - his second-best strike rate in a 15-year IPL career.
Agarwal also revealed that he had to prove himself in a trial game in front of RCB head coach Andy Flower before earning his place in the squad.
"Andy was very straightforward: 'This is a selection match; make it or break it.' I loved that. I was put in a spot where I had to perform, exactly like a real game. I did well, the coaches were happy, and they felt, 'This guy is ready; we don't need to spend time preparing him for the game,'" revealed Agarwal.
Once picked, Agarwal wasted no time making an impression. In RCB’s 228-run chase against Lucknow Super Giants, he smashed an unbeaten 41 off 23 balls, anchoring the innings alongside Jitesh Sharma. Then, in the final against Punjab Kings, Agarwal chipped in with a crucial 24 off 18 deliveries, helping RCB clinch their maiden IPL title by six runs.