Devdutt Padikkal (RCB): 0.12 Projected WAR/M Left-Hander Provides Batting Depth
Devdutt Padikkal projects at 0.12 WAR/M for IPL 2026, sitting outside RCB's optimal XII. His batting WAR/M of 0.16 provides all his contribution across 2015 batting balls and 100 matches. He does not bowl. The regressed WAR/M of 0.16 and projected 0.12 show the model expects continued decline.
His SRae of 3 places him near league average for the phases he bats in. That means his scoring rate roughly matches expectations, neither adding nor subtracting value relative to a replacement batter.
Phase Splits
| Phase | SR | Balls | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP (1-6) | 118 | 274 | -34 |
| Mid (7-15) | 127 | 416 | -17 |
| Death (16-20) | 148 | 67 | -24 |
Every phase sits below the league average. The powerplay SR of 118 is 34 points below the 152 average. In the middle overs, 127 is 17 below 144. At the death, 148 is 24 below 172.
Against spin in the PP, he drops to 98 across 54 balls. That is a severe weakness that opposition captains can exploit immediately.
IPL 2025 Season Review
In IPL 2025, Padikkal scored 247 runs at 152 SR across 10 innings with 2 fifties and a high score of 61. His boundary percentage of 68% and dismissal pattern (100% caught, 7 of 7) are worth noting.
Why He Misses the XI
RCB's top four of Salt (0.61), Kohli (0.46), Venkatesh Iyer (0.28), and Patidar (0.38) all project significantly higher WAR/M. Padikkal's below-average production in every phase makes him a backup rather than a starter. His PP share of 28% suggests a top-order role, but Salt and Kohli lock those spots.
Path to the XI
If Kohli or Venkatesh Iyer misses a match through injury or rest, Padikkal is the domestic batting replacement. His left-handed batting provides variety against right-arm spin attacks that the rest of RCB's lineup lacks. His 100 match experience offers stability that younger bench options cannot match.
Dismissal and Style Notes
His 100% caught dismissal rate (7 of 7) in IPL 2025 mirrors Kohli's pattern. Both top-order batters find fielders rather than being bowled or trapped LBW. His boundary percentage of 68% suggests he hits freely when he connects but struggles to find gaps consistently.
His 100 match career provides institutional knowledge. Padikkal has batted in pressure situations across multiple IPL seasons, making him a safer bench option than unproven domestic picks.
What This Means for IPL 2026
Padikkal is bench batting depth. His xImpact of 45 and 0.12 projected WAR/M place him below the XI threshold. The left-handed option has value in specific matchups, but the numbers do not support regular selection ahead of the current top order. He is one of the more experienced backup batters in the league.