Mayank Agarwal, who won the IPL 2025 trophy with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is likely to be a key player in the 2026 auction. Notably, the senior player had joined the Bengaluru-based franchise mid-season as Devdutt Padikkal sustained an injury. The right-handed batter scored 95 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 148. 43 with the best score of an unbeaten 41 against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). RCB paid INR 1 crore for his services in the 2025 season. Notably, Agarwal couldn’t be retained by the franchise because the defending champions signed him as a temporary injury replacement. As a result, RCB released him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Mayank boasts an impressive record with 2756 runs in 131 IPL matches at a strike rate of 133. 52, hitting one ton and 13 half-centuries. Overall, the 34-year-old has amassed 5012 runs in 215 T20s, including two centuries and 28 fifties. The right-handed batter is known for his anchor role at the top of the batting order. Several teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gujarat Titans (GT), LSG, and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be looking to buy him at the IPL 2026 auction. Let’s take a look below: #1 RR Despite having the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the Royals don’t have a backup Indian opener. Notably, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Donovan Ferreira have emerged as the first four overseas choices among seven available players. As a result, the inaugural champions might have to sit out South Africa opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius. In such a scenario, Mayank could be a like-for-like replacement for Jaiswal or Suryavanshi in case of an injury. In addition, the senior batter would offer experience to the young side, which is yet to finalise a captain for the next season. Having led Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 14 games between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he can offer some valuable input to a young captain like Riyan Parag. #2 CSK Chennai Super Kings will be in search of a backup opener for Ayush Mhatre. With Sanju Samson likely to cement his spot as an opener from game one, Mayank Agarwal can serve as a cover for Mhatre and No. 3 batter Urvil Patel. With INR 43. 4 crores in their kitty, the Super Kings would be more than happy to buy Agarwal for his base price of INR 1 crore. Additionally, Agarwal would be looking to find some stability after a downward trend in IPL over the last couple of years. Notably, senior players love playing at CSK, and Agarwal could be the next Ajinkya Rahane from the franchise. Rahane had three poor IPL seasons before he found his rhythm back with the Chennai-based franchise during the 2023 season, when the yellow army lifted their fifth trophy. #3 KKR With the highest purse (INR 64. 30) ahead of IPL 2026 Auction, KKR can buy Mayank Agarwal even if other franchises engage in a small bidding war for the opening batter. After releasing Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mayank could be a specialist opener for the Knight Riders. With Sunil Narine set to get all guns blazing from ball one, if he opens, Agarwal can provide stability when the former flops. Apart from that, he also sorts out the playing XI issue as an Indian player. Unlike CSK or RR, KKR could provide Mayank an opportunity to bat as the first-choice opener. The right-handed batter could use the opportunity to bounce back in the T20 league.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-3-teams-target-mayank-agarwal-ipl-2026-auction-ft-rr
Tag: like-for-like
India’s predicted playing XI for the 1st T20I vs Australia ft. Shivam Dube & Arshdeep Singh
India are all set to face off against Australia in the first T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29. The Men in Blue come into this match on the back of a 2-1 loss in the preceding three-match ODI series.
Despite the recent setback in ODIs, India have been in excellent form in the shortest format lately. They clinched the 2025 Asia Cup in fairly comfortable fashion and are also the defending champions of the T20 World Cup. Given their strong recent performances, the visitors aren’t expected to make many changes to the side that has brought them success.
### India’s T20I Squad for the Australia Tour
– Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
– Abhishek Sharma
– Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
– Tilak Varma
– Nitish Kumar Reddy
– Shivam Dube
– Axar Patel
– Jitesh Sharma (wk)
– Varun Chakaravarthy
– Jasprit Bumrah
– Arshdeep Singh
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Harshit Rana
– Sanju Samson (wk)
– Rinku Singh
– Washington Sundar
### Predicted Playing XI for the First T20I against Australia
**Openers:** Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma
India have stuck with Shubman Gill despite his indifferent performances in the 2025 Asia Cup. The vice-captain will open the innings, taking the first strike alongside Abhishek Sharma, who is currently in red-hot form.
**Middle Order:** Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy
Hardik Pandya’s absence leaves a huge void, and India may look to fill it by selecting Nitish Kumar Reddy as a like-for-like replacement. Reddy has been declared fit after missing the third ODI due to a quad strain.
The rest of the middle order is expected to maintain a similar structure. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav will complete the top four, with Yadav facing some pressure to deliver runs. Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Axar Patel, who batted out of position for most of the Asia Cup, are likely to retain their spots for now.
Meanwhile, Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma could start the series on the bench. There is a possibility that India may opt to replace either Nitish Kumar Reddy or Shivam Dube with a specialist seamer like Harshit Rana, but that would reduce batting depth and go against the team’s recent approach.
**Lower Order:** Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are expected to lead India’s pace attack in Canberra. The team is likely to pick Varun Chakaravarthy over Kuldeep Yadav as the specialist spinner.
Although omitting Kuldeep might seem like a questionable decision, India may prioritize bowling depth and pace options by sticking with this familiar combination.
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Stay tuned for more updates ahead of this exciting first T20I between India and Australia!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/india-s-predicted-playing-xi-1st-t20i-vs-australia-ft-shivam-dube-arshdeep-singh