Former Indian batter Suresh Raina believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play Devdutt Padikkal ahead of Venkatesh Iyer in the upcoming IPL 2026. Venkatesh Iyer was roped in for INR 7 crore in IPL 2026 mini auction after he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders. Iyer could not deliver for KKR after he was roped in for a huge amount of INR 23.75 crore in IPL 2025 mega 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.

“I think RCB will play Padikkal at No.3. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt will open, then there is Jitesh Sharma at No.4. If captain Rajat Patidar says that I can play at No.5, then it can happen. They can go for a left-hand-right-hand combination as well, they already have a left-hander at No.3,” Suresh Raina said on Star Sports.

Raina reckons the Bengaluru pitch will suit Venkatesh Iyer’s style of batting in the upcoming season.

“I think the pitches in Bengaluru will suit Venkatesh Iyer more, he is a quality player. He likes to play higher up the order, he can score in all areas of the ground. I think they can play him for the left-hand-right-hand combination, especially since they have a finisher like Jitesh Sharma below,” Raina added.

Iyer could only manage 142 runs in seven innings at an average of 20.29 and a strike rate of 139.21 in IPL 2025 and thus could not justify his huge price tag at Kolkata Knight Riders.

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