Rajat Patidar Ruled Out Of IPL 2025? Concerned RCB Considers New Captain

Had IPL 2025 not been temporarily suspended due to the tense border situations between India and Pakistan, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) captain, Rajat Patidar, would have missed at least two games due to a finger injury.

But the pause in the event has given him at least a week to recover without missing any games for the franchise. Bengaluru is enjoying second place in the points table, but will hope to see its captain getting back to full fitness.

Rajat Patidar's finger injury petrifies RCB

Rajat Patidar picked up the injury in the field during their last home game against the Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 03. The medical side advised him to protect his finger and be away from training for at least a week and half before they could asses the issue.

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Bengaluru is careful with the middle-order batter’s recovery, keeping in mind his availability for the league’s playoffs and the possible selection in the India A squad for the three-match trip to England. The squad is expected to be announced later this week.

On May 11 (Saturday), Rajat returned to Bengaluru from Lucknow with the rest of the RCB squad. He was optimistic about being part of the remainder of the IPL season if it resumes in the following week after both neighboring countries announce a ceasefire.

RCB considers Jitesh Sharma as the replacement captain

With Rajat Patidar’s injury, RCB kept their wicket-keeper batter, Jitesh Sharma, in line to lead the side against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekhana Stadium on May 08 in the normal schedule.

“I was very grateful for the opportunity given to me. They were allowing me to captain RCB, and it's a very big thing for me and my family. I was thinking of what the right combination would be because both Devdutt and Rajat Patidar were not available, and it was a big responsibility to replace them.” Jitesh revealed on the RCB Bold Diaries.

“And as per the position we were on the points table, we would have won this game. All of this was going on in my head, and all the meetings with coaches and players in those two to three days, batting order, and discussions with bowlers. I had good fun.” The veteran addressed.

Injury has been an issue for RCB towards the end of the season. Along with Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal is also out of the event before Mayank Agarwal replaces him in the squad. Phil Salt was ill, as Jacob Bethell replaced him in the playing eleven.

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Their premier pacer, Josh Hazlewood, has also picked up a shoulder injury and is unlikely to be back in India for the tournament restart.

RCB sweats over overseas players’ availability

The Rajat Patidar-led side is in the second position with eight wins in 11 games at a net run rate of +0.482. However, they will face blows from the international players.

Romario Shepherd is unlikely to play in the playoffs due to the West Indies’ T20I series in Ireland. Both Salt and Bethell will also fly home due to their series against the Caribbean side and South Africa. Hazlewood, apart from the injury, was going to miss the playoffs due to the WTC final against the Proteas.

The BCCI is likely to announce the rescheduled dates of the IPL 2025, which can begin from May 16 and roll in just four different venues in the country.