Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made a key change in their line-up by bringing in Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal. Padikkal, who has been in notable form this IPL season, is benched due to a hamstring injury. In his place steps Agarwal, the Karnataka captain, joining for INR 1 crore. Agarwal, now 34, is no stranger to RCB, having represented the franchise in the past, scoring 492 runs across 35 matches with a decent strike rate of 128.79.
With Padikkal sidelined, RCB will certainly feel the impact. His left-handed batting style complemented a predominantly right-handed line-up, contributing 247 runs over ten innings with an average of 27.44 and a commendable strike rate of 150.60 this season. His improvement from last season’s performance, where he averaged just 5.42, was significant. Padikkal remarked, “Technically, there were a few things I needed to change in order to be at my best. So DK [Dinesh Karthik, batting coach] and Andy [Flower, head coach] have worked on me relentlessly over the last couple of months, and that’s really working now.” RCB are on the brink of the playoffs, needing just one more win, and will face Lucknow Super Giants next.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals (DC) have secured Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal as a replacement for Harry Brook, who withdrew prior to the season’s commencement. Brook’s exit for the second consecutive year could lead to a two-year IPL suspension for him. Atal, a promising 23-year-old left-hander, joins DC at his base price of INR 1.25 crore. He boasts a record of 1507 runs from 49 T20s, averaging 34.25 and striking at 131.27, and this will be his inaugural IPL season.
“We are excited to welcome Atal to the Delhi Capitals,” said head coach Hemang Badani. “He is an exciting, young talent who has impressed everyone with his performances for both the Afghanistan youth and senior teams. Going into this important phase of the tournament, his presence will certainly add depth to our batting line-up.” Atal’s notable outings include an 85-run knock against Australia in the Champions Trophy. Before this, he had a brief period with MI Cape Town, replacing Ben Stokes, scoring 82 in three innings.
These squad adjustments come at a crucial juncture as both teams strive for a place in the playoffs.
