Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been dealt a major blow in their race for the IPL 2025 playoffs. In-form batter Devdutt Padikkal has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury. The Rajat Patidar-led side have promptly replaced the Karnataka star, signing veteran Mayank Agarwal.
Agarwal replaces injured Padikkal at RCB
Mayank Agarwal returns to his first-ever IPL franchise after RCB signed the veteran opener as a replacement. Devdutt Padikkal’s IPL 22025 campaign was cut short with a hamstring injury. The left-hander has been in fine form for the franchise this season, forming a fine partnership with cornerstone Virat Kohli.
ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ ಮಗ ಮಯಾಂಕ್!
After
long years, 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 where he belongs. Happy #HomeComing, Mayank.
12th Man Army will be on top of the moon hearing this, and they’ll all be right behind you.
pic.twitter.com/k5RwAGINrG
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 7, 2025
Padikkal is the team’s second-highest run getter, scoring 247 runs in 10 games, striking at 150.60. He added a left-handed angle to RCB’s batting order, with Bengaluru’s top order being right-hand dominated.
Agarwal, meanwhile, gets a second lease of life in the IPL. He was dropped after just 4 games for the Sunrisers Hyderabad last season, scoring 64 runs. The veteran subsequently went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. He is now snapped up by RCB for Rs 1 crore.
The Karnataka opener began his IPL career with RCB, and has overall played 127 games, scoring 2661 runs. He briefly captained Punjab Kings in the IPL, and also had stints at SRH, Delhi Capitals and Rising Pune Supergiant. His recent record in the tournament will be a cause of concern, having struggles in the last 3 seasons.
RCB however, will hope that the 34-year-old can turn a corner much like Devdutt Padikkal did this season. In the SMAT this season, Agarwal played 7 games, scoring at 152.99. He was only behind Karun Nair in the leading run scorers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he captained Karnataka to victory. He scored 651 runs, averaging 93 with 4 centuries and a strike rate of 107.60. His know how of the Chinnaswamy surface would further be of use to RCB as they aim to end their 18-year wait for an IPL title.
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