"I gave myself 6-8 hours that evening" - RCB star opens up on fairytale journey from going unsold to becoming IPL 2025 champions

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Mayank Agarwal opened up on his incredible journey from being unsold to winning the IPL 2025 trophy. Mayank was not picked by any team at the start of the season. However, he joined RCB at a later stage as a replacement player for Devdutt Padikkal. Devdutt was ruled out due to an injury.

Mayank Agarwal revealed that he was playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy during the auction. After going unsold, he sat down and reflected on aspects that he had to improve on to get picked in the next season.

"When I didn't get picked in the IPL, I remember we were playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali, I was watching the auction. We were in the middle of a tournament, tI gave myself 6-8 hours that evening and there were thoughts that I haven't got picked in the IPL and this could have been or that could have been. But I was brutally honest with myself and I said, "Mayank, yes, you aren't picked." But there has to be something or there are definitely places that you need to work on or you should work on that will probably help you be where you want to be in the following season," he said on the RCB Podcast.

The star batter further revealed that he had to go through trials when he was called by the management to join them. He expressed that having to give the trials was interesting and that he appreciated the process. To get selected, he would have to perform well, which he did. He believed that it helped him to prepare for how a match situation would be under pressure.

"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."

As Mayank finally made it to the team, RCB's home game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was washed out. He was previously in the stands during their game against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai and watching as a fan. Mayank also expressed his thoughts while watching that game, and when the game against KKR was washed out.

"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.

He played four matches, including the final. The right-hander scored 95 runs at an average of 31.66 and a strike-rate of 148.43. He scored an unbeaten 23-ball 41 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and a crucial 24-run knock in the final.

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Winning the IPL 2025 final gave Mayank Agarwal closure after losing the 2011 final with RCB

Mayank Agarwal began his journey in the IPL with RCB in 2011. They played the final that year but lost to CSK. Mayank reflected that winning the trophy in 2025 gave him closure for the defeat in 2011.

"My first year with RCB was in 2011. Ray Jennings was coach and we played the finals in 2011 in Chennai against Chennai and they won. So there was a bit of baggage or there was a bit of expectation from myself that you know I have been part of a final, I have played that final, I would love to play this final and win it. I'm being completely honest in saying that yes when we won the final there was a lot of happiness you know there was so many emotions that I can't probably describe, but there was also closure to what happened in 2011," he said.

Mayank scored 141 runs in seven innings during the 2011 season. He stayed with the franchise till 2013, before returning in 2025. RCB beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final by six runs to lift their maiden IPL trophy.