Royal Challengers Bengaluru Sign Mayank Agarwal for IPL 2025 | RCB Replaces Injured Padikkal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Rope in Mayank Agarwal as Injury Replacement for Devdutt Padikkal

In a significant mid-season development, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced the signing of seasoned Indian batter Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal for the remainder of the TATA IPL 2025 season. The move comes at a critical juncture as RCB continue their strong push for a playoff berth.

Devdutt Padikkal, who had been a steady contributor for RCB at the top of the order with 247 runs in 10 matches including two half-centuries, has been ruled out after suffering a right hamstring injury. The setback is a blow to RCB’s campaign, especially with Padikkal rediscovering his touch in recent games and offering solidity in the top three alongside Virat Kohli and Phil Salt.

Mayank Agarwal, who joins RCB for INR 1 Crore, brings with him a wealth of IPL experience. Having played 127 matches and scored 2661 runs at an average of 23.60 and a strike rate of 133.12, Agarwal is no stranger to high-pressure games. His resume includes a blistering century and 13 fifties, showcasing his ability to anchor innings as well as accelerate when needed. Once a mainstay for Kings XI Punjab and later leading the franchise, Mayank has proven his mettle as both a dynamic opener and a composed presence in the middle order.

RCB’s decision to rope in Mayank is not just about plugging a hole. It reflects a tactical recalibration as they eye the business end of the tournament. Agarwal’s ability to adapt to different batting positions could lend more balance and depth to the side, especially with the middle order occasionally blowing hot and cold this season. His experience also brings leadership strength to a squad that has relied heavily on Rajat Patidar’s captaincy and a rotating core of all-rounders.

RCB Head Coach Andy Flower, speaking on the replacement, noted, "Losing Devdutt was a setback, no doubt. He was just hitting rhythm and playing a critical role for us. But having someone like Mayank available gives us flexibility. He knows this league inside out and has a great temperament."

For Mayank, the move marks a return to the franchise that originally picked him in the inaugural IPL season back in 2011. Since then, he has played for Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), Kings XI Punjab, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, developing into a reliable top-order option with the ability to take on spin and pace alike. In domestic cricket, he remains a vital figure for Karnataka and has been working on refining his T20 game over the past year, focusing particularly on strike rotation and finishing games.

Mayank’s addition comes at a time when RCB are in the thick of the qualification battle, currently hovering just inside the top four. With upcoming matches likely to be played on batting-friendly surfaces, especially in Bengaluru and Mumbai, his stroke play and composure will be invaluable.

Meanwhile, Padikkal’s absence will be felt. His 76 against Chennai Super Kings earlier in the season was one of the standout knocks for RCB, and his calm partnerships with Kohli helped anchor innings during tricky PowerPlay phases. The franchise is hopeful he will recover in time for the post-season commitments or international duties but has confirmed he won’t feature again this IPL.

This replacement also brings to the fore the increasing importance of having bench strength and versatile Indian players in IPL squads. With frequent injuries and player rotations, teams with experienced domestic backups like Mayank are better positioned to absorb such disruptions without losing momentum.

Looking ahead, RCB will need to integrate Agarwal quickly into their setup. With Phil Salt recently recovering from illness and Kohli continuing to be the backbone of the batting unit, Agarwal might slot in at No. 3 or 4 depending on match-ups. His ability to construct innings while rotating strike makes him a good fit behind the power-hitters.

As the IPL 2025 league phase heads towards a close, every match becomes a virtual knockout for several teams. RCB, with a packed fixture list and a high net run rate, will hope Mayank’s addition strengthens their quest for an elusive first IPL title.