Rajat Patidar ruled out of IPL 2025? New captain revealed as big update arrives

A big update has arrived on the finger injury of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar ahead of the commencement of the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

The IPL 2025 will reportedly resume on May 16 or 17, with the final set to take place in Ahmedabad instead of Kolkata on May 30 or June 1.

Also Read: IPL 2025 final likely to shift from Kolkata to Ahmedabad

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Rajat Patidar got injured during the RCB vs CSK clash

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Patidar, who has been leading the side quite well, suffered an injury during the IPL 2025 match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3.

He picked up the injury while fielding at the M Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru and was told to wear a splint to protect the finger and refrain from training for at least 10 days before the injury could be assessed, as per ESPNcricinfo.

Patidar would not have been able to play at least a couple of matches for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League 2025 if the tournament had not been suspended for one week.

The IPL 2025 suspension for seven days due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan has given Patidar a week to recover and not miss any games as well.

Not Virat Kohli! This player would lead RCB in Rajat Patidar's absence

In case the competition had continued without any interruptions, the star wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma would have been handed the RCB captaincy responsibility with Rajat Patidar injured. He was set to lead the team in the match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday.

While talking about this on RCB Bold Diaries, Jitesh Sharma said that he is grateful to be considered good enough to lead a team like RCB. He said:

"I was very grateful for the opportunity given to me. They were giving me an opportunity 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 [Padikkal] and Rajat were not available, and it was a big responsibility to replace them.

"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-three days, batting order, discussions with bowlers. I had good fun."

Rajat Patidar injury update

Patidar is currently recovering very well from his finger injury. However, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are being extra cautious with him as they want him fully fit for the IPL 2025 playoffs.

Also, Rajat Patidar is on the BCCI selectors' radar for the India tour of England 2025, and to be on a flight to England, he needs to achieve 100% fitness.

He reached Bengaluru on Saturday from Lucknow alongside his RCB teammates and is quite optimistic about playing the remainder of the season.

Notably, RCB have more injuries/ availability issues in camp as Phil Salt missed a few matches will illness, Devdutt Padikkal got ruled out of the competition, while Josh Hazlewood suffered a shoulder niggle.