Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed experienced India batter Mayank Agarwal as an injury replacement for Devdutt Padikkal for the remainder of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Padikkal, who featured in 10 matches this season for RCB and scored 247 runs including two half-centuries, has been ruled out due to a right hamstring injury.
Mayank Agarwal joins the RCB squad for a fee of INR 1 Crore. A seasoned IPL campaigner, Agarwal has played 127 IPL matches, amassing 2661 runs with an average of consistent top-order performance. His record includes 1 IPL century and 13 fifties.
Strategic mid-season signing for RCB
RCB’s move to bring in Mayank is aimed at shoring up their top-order depth as the team eyes a playoff spot in the closing stages of IPL 2025. Agarwal brings with him not only experience and stability, but also the ability to anchor or accelerate as required.
The signing is expected to give head coach Andy Flower and captain Faf du Plessis added flexibility in constructing their batting order in the coming games.
Padikkal’s campaign ends with two half-centuries
Before his injury, Devdutt Padikkal had been one of RCB’s key contributors at the top of the order. His 247 runs in 10 matches included important knocks in RCB’s early-season wins. The franchise will hope he recovers quickly ahead of future assignments.
RCB are currently in the thick of the playoff race and will look to leverage Mayank’s IPL experience as they push for a strong finish in the 2025 season.
