Irfan Pathan points out 3 players including Rajat Patidar who can cause headaches for RCB in IPL 2026

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan addressed three players, including the captain Rajat Patidar, who can be the main concerns for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during their IPL 2026 campaign, which is all set to begin from March 28. In the opening match, RCB will host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

RCB will enter the tournament as the defending champions. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, the team in Red and Black claimed their maiden IPL title in the 2025 season.

Irfan Pathan has concerns for some specific cricketers

Irfan Pathan is worried about the ongoing form of multiple RCB players. Phil Salt, the England international opener, who scored runs at a constant pace in the previous IPL season, has been out of form for now. His blade remained cold in the T20 World Cup 2026 as well, scoring only one half-century.

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More than the off-form of Phil Salt, Pathan is more bothered because Rajat Patidar struggled for runs in the recent past, in the domestic tournaments. The middle-order batter scored only 67 runs from three games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26, and 113 runs from seven innings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26.

Why captain Rajat Patidar himself can be problematic for RCB in IPL 2026

Irfan Pathan reckoned that Rajat Patidar will be under immense pressure as, as the leader of the team, he will have to maintain the level they set by winning the trophy. The task can be more difficult for him if he remains out of form.

"This year they will have some challenges. Phil Salt is not in form. Even in the World Cup recently, he scored only one fifty. Rajat Patidar's form in domestic cricket has not been great either. As a captain, it is very important for you that you feel well. That will be a matter of concern," Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

"This will be the real challenge for Rajat. You have set a level and now you have to maintain that. You will not have the services of your frontline pacer at the start. How will he stay calm then? It will all depend on that," he further added.

It is reported that RCB's premier pacer Josh Hazlewood is expected to miss the initial few matches of the tournament. The Aussie star is yet to recover from his hamstring injury.

Tim David is also not in good form

Along with Salt and Patidar, Pathan is concerned about Tim David as well. The Australian all-rounder is also not at his peak right now. But the former cricketer is not worried about their batting because the pitches in the IPL can be better for the batters.

"Tim David is also not in his usual form. It was not seen in the T20 World Cup. Yes, there will be better pitches in the IPL and these batters can regain their form. I am still not worried about their batting a lot," Pathan said.

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