Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter their IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on Sunday without their usual skipper, Rajat Patidar, after the batter was ruled out with fitness concerns. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has been handed the captaincy for the clash at the HPCA Stadium and will lead the side while Patidar recovers. At the toss, Jitesh said Patidar is improving and expects him back for RCB’s last league match versus Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 22.
Patidar ruled out, Jitesh takes charge
Jitesh confirmed at the start of the game that Patidar was not fit enough to feature against Punjab Kings. He also expressed confidence that the skipper will return for the final league fixture of the tournament.
“Rajat is doing fantastic now and hopefully we’ll see him in Hyderabad,” Jitesh said at the toss.
RCB’s tournament situation and what a win means
Heading into the encounter, RCB are placed at the top of the points table. A victory over Punjab Kings would seal their place in the playoffs, putting added pressure on a team already operating from a strong position.
They have reached Dharamsala on the back of consecutive wins, and the momentum will be tested immediately with two notable personnel issues affecting their XI.
- RCB are currently leading the points table.
- A win against Punjab Kings would confirm their playoffs qualification.
- The team has arrived in Dharamsala after winning their previous games back-to-back.
Team news: middle-order void and Salt’s absence
While Patidar’s unavailability creates a clear gap in RCB’s middle order, there is another absence that will shape their batting plans. Opener Phil Salt is still in England and has not returned due to a finger injury, meaning RCB will have to reshuffle their top order.
With Salt unavailable, Jacob Bethell is set to partner Virat Kohli at the top of the innings. Meanwhile, Patidar’s absence against Punjab Kings—followed by the later mention of the clash against CSK—highlights how significant his role has been for Bengaluru this season, and will determine who slots into the starting lineup.
- Rajat Patidar will not play against Punjab Kings due to fitness issues.
- Phil Salt is still away in England after a finger injury and is unavailable.
- Jacob Bethell is expected to open alongside Virat Kohli.
- Patidar’s absence is expected to leave a “significant void” in RCB’s middle order.
Impact on RCB’s batting and Jitesh’s captaincy spotlight
Patidar has been among RCB’s standout performers this campaign, compiling 326 runs across 10 innings at a strike rate of 195. His contribution has included three half-centuries, underlining why his absence is being felt in the team’s batting structure.
For Jitesh, this captaincy assignment lands at a critical moment, with the wicketkeeper-batter having endured his least productive IPL season since making his debut in 2022. So far, he has scored 90 runs, and he has been dismissed by pacers eight times in his 10 innings.
The storyline around the match is further complicated by Jitesh’s own previous leadership experience. He captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the latter part of IPL 2025. Even though Patidar was the designated skipper that season, Jitesh led the side in an important playoff encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad after Patidar was used as an Impact Substitute.
With RCB now approaching the playoffs, the focus will be on whether Jitesh can rediscover his rhythm as captain—particularly in a tournament where a batter known for finishing roles will need to deliver more consistently to ensure Bengaluru’s momentum does not dip.
- Rajat Patidar has scored 326 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 195.
- His tally includes three half-centuries.
- Jitesh’s current IPL output is 90 runs, his lowest since debuting in 2022.
- In ten innings, he has been dismissed by pacers eight times.
- Jitesh previously captained RCB in the latter part of IPL 2025.
- In that season’s playoff clash vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Patidar was used as an Impact Substitute and Jitesh took over the leadership role.
Looking ahead
Jitesh will now be tasked with guiding RCB through the Punjab Kings game while also trying to steady the batting order after the loss of a key middle-order presence. The result also carries immediate playoff implications, with Bengaluru needing just a win to lock in their postseason spot. After this match, attention will turn quickly to RCB’s final league outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 22, where Patidar is expected to return.
