Devdutt Padikkal Virat Kohli for RCB. Image Credits: X
In what seems to be a big blow for the RCB fans ahead of IPL 2026, the star batter Devdutt Padikkal has sustained an injury against Uttarakhand in the ongoing first semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Padikkal injured his hand in an attempt to execute a diving catch while fielding in the gully.
The Karnataka skipper walked off the field as he was seen in discomfort after the injury. Besides that, injury has also handed the defending champions, RCB, a headache ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026.
Devdutt Padikkal suffers injury in Ranji Trophy semi-final
The RCB might have to wait for the report of the scans to decide whether they need to field a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal. Notably, Padikkal’s injury-inflicted exit could seriously affect RCB’s title defence in the upcoming 19th edition of the tournament.
Notably, Padikkal didn't come to bat for Karnataka in the second innings against Uttarakhand due to the severity of his injury.
Speaking of IPL, The southpaw was retained by the reigning champions in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The RCB team management considered him again in the setup as a number three batter.
The Karnataka southpaw has been in brilliant form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He is the third-highest run-scorer for Karnataka in the tournament, with 532 runs in nine innings at an amazing average of 66.50, including two centuries and a half-century.
Padikkal also smashed a double century in the first innings of the ongoing semi-final against Uttarakhand.
Possible replacements for Devdutt Padikkal in RCB's IPL 2026 setup
As Padikkal missed batting in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy semi-final, his injury might take a bit longer to recover. Meanwhile, the defending champions, RCB, might be forced to announce a replacement for the star number three batter.
Speaking of the replacements for Devdutt Padikkal, the Ex-CSK batter, Devon Conway could be the first choice as a like-for-like replacement, as the latter is also a left-handed batter. Besides that, Conway has the good enough IPL experience, representing CSK in three editions, including their title-winning run in 2023.
Conway has scored 1080 runs in 28 innings for CSK at a brilliant average of 43.20 and a decent strike rate of 139.71, hitting 11 half-centuries. He might perfectly fill in as Padikkal's replacement in the RCB's IPL 2026 plans.
Apart from Conway, another New Zealander, Michael Bracewell might also be picked as Padikkal's replacement in the upcoming IPL 2026. His T20 credentials seem to justify his position as a number three batter in RCB's mix for the 19th edition. Notably, Bracewell also understands RCB's ecosystem, having played a few games for them in IPL 2026.
Bracewell is known for his power-hitting abilities in the crucial situations, alongside picking some important wickets in the middle overs. Speaking of his T20 numbers, the Kiwi batting all-rounder has scored 3455 runs in 203 games, hitting a century and 18 half-centuries alongside a strike rate of 135.49.
He has also claimed 96 wickets in his T20 career, including two four-wicket hauls. So, RCB might look forward to roping in either Devon Conway or Michael Bracewell as a replacement for injured Devdutt Padikkal if he doesn't recover
