RCB Signs Mayank Agarwal as Injury Replacement for IPL 2025

Mayank Agarwal Joins RCB Amid Injury Concerns

New Delhi [India], May 7: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially brought Mayank Agarwal on board as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, as announced by the IPL Media Advisory.

Padikkal, who participated in 10 matches this season, accumulated 247 runs, including two half-centuries, before suffering a right hamstring injury.

Mayank Agarwal, with a wealth of experience, has played 127 IPL matches, amassing 2,661 runs, which includes one century and 13 fifties. He has joined RCB for a fee of INR 1 Crore.

In RCB's recent match, CSK won the toss and chose to bowl first. A strong opening partnership of 97 runs between Jacob Bethell (55 off 33 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes) and Virat Kohli (62 off 33 balls, with five fours and five sixes) set a solid foundation for RCB. However, a middle-order collapse saw them struggling at 157/5 in 17.5 overs. Fortunately, Romario Shepherd's explosive innings of 53 not out off just 14 balls, including four boundaries and six sixes, propelled RCB to a total of 213/5 in 20 overs.

Matheesa Pathirana was the standout bowler for CSK, taking 3 wickets for 36 runs.

During the chase, CSK maintained a steady run rate, reaching 58/2 in 5.4 overs. A significant partnership of 114 runs between Ayush Mhatre (94 off 48 balls, with nine fours and five sixes) and Ravindra Jadeja (77 not out off 45 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) seemed to steer CSK towards victory. However, after Mhatre was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi (3/30), CSK faced mounting pressure. Despite efforts from Jadeja, MS Dhoni (12 off eight balls with a six), and Shivam Dube (8 not out off three balls with a six), CSK fell just two runs short, finishing at 211/5. Yash Dayal (1/41) successfully defended 15 runs in the final over, while Krunal Pandya (1/24 in three overs) and Suyash Sharma (0/43) also contributed with their spin bowling.

Romario Shepherd was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance.