I want to focus on things at hand – Mayank Agarwal before IPL 2023 auction

India’s out-of-favor batter Mayank Agarwal wants to focus on things at home before the all-important IPL 2023 auction. Agarwal had led Punjab Kings in the previous season of the IPL but the Mohali-based franchise could not even qualify for the playoff stages.

The Karnataka batter scored 196 runs in 13 matches at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 122.50 in IPL 2022 as he failed to lead from the front. Mayank Agarwal has set his base price at INR 1 crore for the upcoming auctions and he is looking forward to the new opportunities.

Meanwhile, Mayank Agarwal has scored 2331 runs in 113 IPL matches at an average of 22.63 and a strike rate of 134.51.

Agarwal will be looking to make a solid comeback to form as he scored 165 runs in eight matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022 while playing for Karnataka.

“Having captained an IPL franchise, you get to learn a lot more, you understand the game in more depth, and understand situations in a different perspective. It opens a new perspective, a new range. Use that experience and put it to good use,” Mayank Agarwal told Wisden.

Agarwal added the focus is on the ongoing Ranji Season and he wants to take one step at a time.

“There is a possibility of working with a new setup and that’s exciting. But really, as a player, there is nothing much you can do but eagerly wait and watch. So that’s the thought. Just wait and watch what happens. The domestic season and Ranji Trophy is going on, so the focus is going to be there,” Agarwal said.

The Indian batter added the only way to cut out on outside noise is to focus on things that are in his control and not overthink.

“For me, it’s not about cutting the noise but focussing on the things at hand. If you can focus on the things you are doing, the outside noise is gone. You can’t hear it. The more you try to cut out the noise, the more it grows. If you just focus on the things at hand, you don’t hear any of it,” he concluded on the matter.

Agarwal had a good run in IPL 2021 for Punjab Kings as he scored 441 runs in 14 matches at an average of 40.09 and a strike rate of 140.45, which has been his best season in the lucrative tournament.