Rajat Patidar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain, is currently recovering from a finger injury sustained while fielding during RCB’s home match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3. The injury, which would have sidelined him for at least two matches, was managed with a splint and a recommendation to refrain from training for 10 days. However, the temporary suspension of IPL 2025, due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, has given Patidar valuable extra time to recover.
This pause has allowed Patidar to potentially return without missing any IPL matches, including crucial games in the playoffs, if the tournament resumes. Furthermore, his availability for the upcoming India A tour of England is also being carefully monitored, with the squad announcement expected soon.
RCB has been cautious with Patidar's rehabilitation, given the importance of his return for both the IPL and his international prospects. The injury is just one of several setbacks the team has faced during the season. Other key players, such as opening batter Phil Salt (illness) and Devdutt Padikkal (hamstring injury), were also unavailable, while Josh Hazlewood suffered a shoulder injury.
Despite these challenges, Jitesh Sharma, who would have captained RCB in Patidar's absence during their scheduled match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), expressed gratitude for the leadership opportunity, though the IPL’s suspension paused his chance to step in.
As of now, RCB remains second on the points table with eight wins and three losses from 11 matches, and while the team’s overseas players and coaching staff have left India, they remain on standby for a potential tournament resumption. The fate of their remaining fixtures—against LSG, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)—will depend on how the IPL reconfigures the schedule once it resumes.