Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 7: Major squad changes were announced on Wednesday in the ongoing IPL 2025 season, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) making significant player signings.

RCB has brought in Mayank Agarwal as an injury replacement for Devdutt Padikkal, who is sidelined due to a right hamstring injury. Padikkal had played 10 matches for RCB this season, amassing 247 runs, including two half-centuries. Agarwal, who has played 127 IPL matches and scored 2661 runs, brings considerable experience to the squad, having also represented Punjab Kings (PBKS). The right-handed batter boasts one IPL century and 13 fifties.

On the other hand, DC has signed Afghanistan opener Sediqullah Atal to replace England batter Harry Brook, who withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons. Atal, who made headlines earlier this year with an explosive 85 against Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, has been a consistent performer in T20 cricket. He has scored 1,507 runs in 49 T20 matches, including 13 half-centuries, and earned recognition for his standout performances in the Kabul Premier League 2023 and the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024. Atal’s aggressive batting style and form with both Afghanistan's youth and senior teams are expected to add depth to DC’s batting lineup.

"We are excited to welcome Atal to the Delhi Capitals. 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 lineup," said DC head coach Hemang Badani.

Looking ahead, second-placed RCB will face Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, while fifth-ranked DC will aim to break into the top four when they take on Punjab Kings at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday.