Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were very keen to acquire the services of Venkatesh Iyer ahead of IPL 2025. However, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) eventually retained him for Rs 23.75 crore. After a forgettable season for the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder in IPL 2025 for the three-time champions, the Knights decided to release him. This provided RCB with another opportunity to sign the southpaw during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, and they did so for Rs 7 crore.
last season, Devdutt Padikkal Played an important role at number 3 for RCB. In 10 matches, he scored 247 runs at a strike rate of 150.60. He recorded two half-centuries during the campaign before being ruled out before the end of the season due to injury. With the arrival of Venkatesh, there is going to be competition for the No. 3 slot in RCB's batting order in IPL 2026. However, Padikkal is not too worried, and he is hopeful that both of them will be able to play a key role for the defending champions in the upcoming season.
“Of course, if you are playing in the IPL, you will always have competition. Venky is a great player and I have played many matches with and against him. I am looking forward to having him in the team. Hopefully we both can contribute to the success of the team,” he said on InsideSport's YouTube channel.
Padikkal has been in great form in domestic cricket this season. He is the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, with 721 runs in eight innings at an average of 103 and a strike rate of 100.27. The Karnataka batsman has so far scored four centuries and two half-centuries.
In the first quarter-final against Mumbai on Monday, January 12, Padikkal scored unbeaten 81 off 95 balls at the BCCI Center of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru. Karnataka entered the semi-finals by winning the match by 55 runs via VJD method.
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