The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have suffered a major blow just before their crucial IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Star batter Devdutt Padikkal has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. In his place, experienced batter Mayank Agarwal has been signed as a replacement.

Devdutt Padikkal Ruled Out Due to Injury

Padikkal, who was having one of his best IPL seasons, picked up a right hamstring injury that has forced him out of the tournament. The 24-year-old played 10 matches this season, scoring 247 runs, including two half-centuries. His strike rate of 150.61 was his best in any IPL edition so far, and he seemed to have found form while batting at the No. 3 position for RCB.

This injury has come as a big disappointment for both the player and the team, especially when he was finally delivering consistent performances after a few average seasons.

Mayank Agarwal Steps In as Replacement

To fill the gap left by Padikkal, RCB has brought in Mayank Agarwal, a seasoned IPL campaigner. The 34-year-old has been signed for ₹1 crore and brings a wealth of experience with him.

Agarwal has played 127 IPL matches, scoring 2661 runs, including one century and 13 fifties. Although he had a quiet outing with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 — scoring just 64 runs in four games — his overall experience and previous performances could give RCB the depth they need in the batting order.

Agarwal’s Return to RCB

Interestingly, Mayank started his IPL journey with RCB and now returns to the franchise in a full-circle moment. Over the years, he has played for multiple teams and built a solid reputation as a top-order batter.

Now, with RCB in a crucial phase of the tournament, the team will hope that Agarwal can rise to the occasion and contribute significantly in Padikkal’s absence.

Upcoming Match: RCB vs LSG

This sudden change in the squad comes just ahead of RCB’s important face-off with Lucknow Super Giants on May 9 at Ekana Cricket Stadium. With the playoff race heating up, every match and every player counts. RCB fans will be keeping a close eye on how the team adapts to this sudden shift.

Final Thoughts

While Padikkal’s injury is unfortunate, RCB still has a chance to stay strong and move forward in IPL 2025. With Mayank Agarwal joining the team, the focus now shifts to how quickly he can settle in and make an impact. One player’s loss can become another’s opportunity — and this might just be Mayank’s time to shine again.