Former Indian batter Abhinav Mukund has backed Devdutt Padikkal to continue playing at number three for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the upcoming IPL 2026. Padikkal will receive competition from Venkatesh Iyer for his spot in the playing XI.

The Madhya Pradesh batter was roped in by RCB for INR 7 crore in IPL 2026 mini-auction. Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal scored 247 runs in 10 matches of the previous edition at an average of 27.40 and a strike rate of 150.60. Furthermore, Padikkal has been in rich form in the domestic circuit.

“At the time of the auction last year, Venkatesh Iyer’s stocks were probably at 10, and Devdutt Padikkal was at 2. The roles are reversed now. Devdutt had a phenomenal season. He’s the one knocking on the doors of the Indian team cricket. He had a very good season for RCB at No.3. So for me, Venkatesh Iyer does not start. I would start with Devdutt Padikkal,” Abhinav Mukund said on ESPN Cricinfo.

On the other hand, former RCB captain Faf du Plessis reckons the team’s think tank’s trust in Padikkal has allowed the Karnataka batter to play with freedom.

“The question around him is around that strike rate, isn’t it? Last year you could see there was a lot of talk around pushing the strike rate, go in and play the game, take it on. There was a lot of confidence from the leadership group to push him because it was not his natural game,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mukund backed the reigning champions RCB to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.

“It still looks a good side on paper, but it is a very powerful batting side. The bowling has one or two holes in it. They will be in the top four once again,” Mukund said.

RCB will begin their IPL defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on 28th March.