Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have brought back a familiar face as they signed Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal, the IPL confirmed on Wednesday (May 7). This move comes as a significant development for the playoff-chasing franchise, who now find itself without one of its in-form openers.
Padikkal has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a right hamstring injury, cutting short what was shaping up to be a redemption season for the Karnataka southpaw. After a forgettable 2024 campaign with Lucknow Super Giants, where he scored just 38 runs from 7 matches, Padikkal found his rhythm again in RCB colours.
In 10 games this season, he amassed 247 runs at a strike rate of over 150, including two half-centuries. His absence will certainly be felt in the top order as RCB head into the business end of the tournament.
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In his place, the experienced Mayank Agarwal returns to RCB, the very franchise where he began his IPL journey back in 2011. The former Punjab Kings skipper went unsold in the previous auction after a lukewarm 2023 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nevertheless, his wealth of experience could prove vital for RCB as they push for the playoffs.
🚨BLOW FOR RCB🚨
Devdutt Padikkal has been ruled out of #IPL2025 with an injury.
RCB have signed Mayank Agarwal as his replacement. pic.twitter.com/4wupEauUrd
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 7, 2025
“RCB have signed Mayank Agarwal as an injury replacement for Devdutt Padikkal for the remainder of TATA IPL 2025,” the IPL’s official statement read. “Mayank Agarwal has played 127 IPL matches, scoring 2661 runs with 1 century and 13 fifties. He joins RCB for INR 1 crore.”
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Agarwal’s return to Bengaluru adds depth to a squad already brimming with confidence. RCB have been in superb form this season, with 8 wins from 11 matches, and currently sit second on the points table. With momentum on their side, they’ll be eyeing another two points when they face Lucknow Super Giants on May 9. For Agarwal, this is a chance at resurgence. For RCB, it’s a timely reinforcement as the playoff race tightens.
