Royal Challengers Bengaluru were forced into a major leadership change ahead of their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings after regular captain Rajat Patidar was ruled out due to a concussion-related issue.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma stepped in to lead the defending champions at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, with RCB confirming that Patidar had not recovered sufficiently in time for the fixture.
"Rajat is doing fantastic now and hopefully we'll see him in Hyderabad," Jitesh Sharma said at the toss before the match.
What happened to Rajat Patidar?
Patidar's absence comes as a significant blow for RCB given his outstanding form this season. The middle-order batter has scored 326 runs in 10 innings at a staggering strike rate of 195, including three half-centuries,
emerging as one of Bengaluru's most aggressive batters through the middle overs.
The injury traces back to RCB's previous match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur, where Patidar was struck on the back of the helmet by a sharp 141.4 km/h bouncer from Kartik Tyagi during the 14th over of the chase.
Although Patidar initially cleared on-field concussion protocols and continued batting during the game, delayed concussion symptoms reportedly emerged in the following days.
Medical experts often note that concussion symptoms can worsen several hours or even days after the original impact, particularly in high-contact sporting environments.
Patidar subsequently missed both training sessions ahead of the Punjab Kings clash and was absent from the squad's travel footage to Dharamsala, increasing speculation around his availability.
Who is captaining RCB in Rajat Patidar's absence?
RCB are already dealing with another major absence, with opener Phil Salt still recovering from a finger injury in England. Jacob Bethell therefore continued alongside Virat Kohli at the top of the order.
Jitesh Sharma's appointment as stand-in captain is not entirely new for the franchise. The wicketkeeper-batter had previously captained RCB during portions of IPL 2025 when Patidar was unavailable due to a finger injury.
The leadership responsibility also arrives at a crucial personal moment for Jitesh, who has endured his leanest IPL campaign since debuting in 2022. He entered the match with just 90 runs this season and repeated struggles against pace bowling.
How important is Rajat Patidar to RCB's IPL 2026 playoff push?
For RCB, the timing of Patidar's absence could hardly be more significant.
The defending champions entered the contest sitting atop the IPL 2026 points table with eight wins from 12 matches. Victory against Punjab Kings would officially seal their playoff qualification and strengthen their push for a top-two finish.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings entered the game under immense pressure after suffering five consecutive defeats following their unbeaten seven-match start to the season.
RCB's medical team will now closely monitor Patidar's recovery ahead of their final league-stage fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 22, a game that could still carry major implications in the race for playoff positioning.
