Devdutt Padikkal Ruled Out of IPL 2025, Mayank Agarwal Returns to RCB as Replacement

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered a setback in their playoff push as Devdutt Padikkal has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2025 due to a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old left-hander was having a breakthrough season at No. 3, scoring 247 runs in 10 matches at a healthy strike rate of 150.61, including two half-centuries.

In response, RCB have signed Mayank Agarwal as Padikkal’s replacement for the rest of the campaign. Agarwal, who previously turned out for RCB in his early IPL years, joins the franchise for INR 1 Crore as a mid-season replacement. The Karnataka batter brings experience with 127 IPL appearances, 13 fifties, and a century to his name.

Although Agarwal had a disappointing 2024 season, scoring just 64 runs and going unsold in the subsequent auction, his return marks a potential redemption arc at a crucial time for RCB. The team currently sits second on the points table, behind Gujarat Titans only on Net Run Rate.

With the playoffs approaching, RCB will hope Agarwal can rediscover his touch and fill the void left by Padikkal’s injury.