New Delhi, Nov 10 (NationPress) Opener Mayank Agarwal reflected on the emotional journey of his IPL career, stating that participating in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever IPL title victory allowed him to release the emotions accumulated over the years, both within and outside the team.

Agarwal achieved the IPL 2025 title with RCB after being recruited as a last-minute substitute for the injured left-handed player Devdutt Padikkal. He played a key role by scoring an impressive 41 runs off just 23 balls as RCB successfully chased down 228 runs to defeat the Lucknow Super Giants and secure a top two position in the points table.

"I joined RCB in 2011, and we lost the final in Chennai. Winning now signifies more than mere joy; it offers closure to 2011. Transitioning from not being part of the IPL to being part of a team that won it for the first time in 18 years is monumental, and it’s difficult to articulate. It's significant not only for the franchise but also for the fans, players, and everyone associated with RCB. You could sense years of emotion being released in that moment," Agarwal shared on the RCB Podcast.

Reflecting on the tense final, Agarwal credited Virat Kohli’s strategic guidance and Phil Salt’s aggressive start for establishing a strong momentum. "It was nerve-wracking. In the qualifier, Kyle Jamieson bowled impressively against me, so in the final when he began again, Virat advised, ‘He’s generating bounce and shape; look to attack him square of the wicket, not just past third man.’”

“Once the first boundary was hit, confidence surged, and we applied pressure back. Phil Salt’s intent was crucial. My job was to maintain the momentum. If I could absorb the pressure and redirect it swiftly, our partnership would thrive, and it indeed did.”

Agarwal also discussed his mental reset after going unsold at the auction, where he opted for self-reflection rather than succumbing to disappointment. "I gave myself 6-8 hours after the auction. Yes, negative thoughts appeared; I haven’t been picked, this could have been, that could have been, but I faced the reality: ‘yes, you weren’t picked.’”

“There are always areas to improve, and even if it’s just a couple of things, why not address them now for the upcoming season? Instead of focusing on auction dynamics, I kept asking myself what I could enhance immediately. I noted down points with my batting coach and began right away.”

He elaborated on the discipline of his daily routine, which helped him remain focused and prepared. "I established a routine and adhered to it meticulously: wake up at 5, train, attend skill sessions with RX sir, finish by mid-afternoon, spend time with family, and allocate half an hour before sleep to plan for the next day.”

“And then just relentlessly pursue that, day after day. If I completed my agenda for the day by 3 or 3:30, I allowed myself to relax. However, the following day’s checklist was already prepared the night before.”

He further commended the clarity and challenge presented during the trials, especially from head coach Andy Flower. "Andy was very direct: ‘This is a selection match; make it or break it.’ I appreciated that. It placed me in a position where I had to perform, much like in a real game.”

“I performed well, the coaches were satisfied, and they believed, ‘This player is ready; no need to spend time preparing him for the game.’ Being invited for open nets and practice games instead of directly joining the squad was refreshing. It meant I had to earn it just like I would in a high-pressure situation.”

Agarwal is committed to addressing unfinished business with Karnataka in the domestic circuit, as the team has yet to capture the Ranji Trophy since the 2014-15 season. "I’ll attempt to be kinder to myself, but honestly, I won’t. Karnataka hasn’t won in a while; we’ve played commendable cricket but haven’t crossed the finish line. We’ll do everything in our power to secure the Ranji Trophy; it would be monumental for us and for our Karnataka fans."