Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag reckons Sunrisers Hyderabad should continue to put their weight behind under-fire Mayank Agarwal in the ongoing season of IPL 2023 despite his low returns. Agarwal has struggled to deliver the goods for the team as he has scored only 169 runs in eight matches at an average of 21.13 and a strike rate of 110.45.
Sehwag said that the Orange Army doesn’t have any other player who can replace Agarwal in the final XI. SRH batting unit has failed to deliver the goods in the ongoing season and they will need support from players like Mayank Agarwal.
In fact, Mayank Agarwal was roped in for INR 8.25 crores in the IPL 2023 auction but he hasn’t lived up to the huge price tag so far in the tournament. As Agarwal hasn’t been able to perform consistently for SRH, his batting position has been changed frequently by the team’s think tank.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, the cricketer-turned-commentator explained:
“Sunrisers Hyderabad went after him at the auction and at one point it looked like they were going to appoint him as captain. They don’t have anyone who can replace him at the moment. They should give him some confidence. He could return to form and wins one or two matches for SRH.”
On the other hand, earlier in the season, Harry Brook scored the first century of IPL 2023 against Kolkata Knight Riders as he had cantered to the personal milestone off just 55 balls.
However, barring that knock, the England batter hasn’t performed consistently and thus his batting position has also been changed by the team management. Sehwag feels Brook should bat as an opener for the Orange Army as he can make the most of the Powerplay overs.
“He [Harry Brook] is a good player. He was asked to bat in the middle order and then was promoted up the order. He scored runs as an opener and was again slotted into the middle order. He hasn’t had a fixed batting position, but he is an international player and should be able to adjust.
Sehwag suggested that either Mayank Agarwal or Abhishek Sharma can bat at one down for SRH.
“However, I feel that if he has scored a hundred while opening, he should play there. Mayank Agarwal or Abhishek Sharma can be moved to No. 3.”
Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on KKR at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
