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Blunder Or Masterstroke: Did RCB Commit Mistake By Replacing Padikkal With Mayank Agarwal?

Anurag Dasgupta

RCB blunder by signing Agarwal [Source: @RCBXTRAOFFICIA/x.com]RCB blunder by signing Agarwal [Source: @RCBXTRAOFFICIA/x.com]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered from a massive setback when their in-form, number 3 batter, Devdutt Padikkal was ruled out of the IPL 2025 tournament due to a hamstring injury. In his place, the franchise decided to rope in former RCB star, Mayank Agarwal.

The Karnataka batter has previously represented the franchise and had also played for the Punjab Kings, Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The batter is likely to be included in the playing XI Vs Lucknow Super Giants on Friday, but here are two key reasons why replacing Padikkal with Agarwal was a wrong move by RCB.

1) Not so good IPL record

RCB had plethora of options to go for, but they decided to bring in Agarwal, which looks like a baffling choice, considering that his IPL record is not so good.

Criterion
Data
Matches127
Runs2661
Average22.74
Strike-rate133.05

(Agarwal's IPL stats)

Just 2661 runs in 127 matches, with an average of 22.74 sums up his IPL journey so far. His numbers hasn't been impressive and perhaps the franchise has taken a gamble by putting their money on Agarwal. His last good season came in 2021, when he added 441 runs, at a strike-rate of 140, while playing for Punjab Kings.

Moreover, a strike-rate of 133 can actually derail RCB's campaign. His IPL season with the best strike rate came in 2020 when he struck at 156, but before and after that, there hasn't been a significant impact.

2) No left-hander in top 7

When Devdutt Padikkal was playing in the XI, RCB had at-least one left-hander in top7. Now, their top-7 involves all the right-handed batters with Krunal Pandya batting at 8. In a T20 game, the right-left combination is really important since it disrupts the lines and lengths of the bowlers.

RCB do have Jacob Bethell in the side and he has done well. However, if Phil Salt comes back in after his fever, the Englishman is likely to get a nod ahead of Bethell and that'll mean no lefty in top 7. The team could have gone for an Indian left-handed batter instead of Agarwal.

Hence, the team could have gone for someone else, someone with a better IPL record, or should have considered a left-handed option for a like-to-like Padikkal replacement.