Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru arrived at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala for a pivotal IPL 2026 meeting with Punjab Kings without their regular captain, Rajat Patidar. With Patidar unavailable, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma took over the leadership role as stand-in skipper for the match.
RCB enter the contest carrying the tag of reigning champions, having beaten Punjab Kings in the 2025 final to lift the title. The toss took place with Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer winning it and choosing to field first, meaning Jitesh’s side began their campaign to set a target from the front.
Speaking at the toss, Iyer said he was not leaning on numbers, stressing that the way games unfold matters most. He also revealed that he had only just realised it would be his 100th match as a captain and described it as a special moment. Iyer added that while the bowling had been strong, T20 cricket demands precision during high-pressure phases, and that teams must stay focused on the present rather than worrying about what can’t be changed.
He then confirmed the team’s adjustments for the game, stating that Harpreet Brar and Lockie Ferguson were coming into the XI.
Jitesh, meanwhile, delivered the key fitness update regarding Patidar. He said RCB would have preferred to bowl first, but noted that the pitch looked suited for a full 40-over contest. Jitesh praised Patidar’s condition, indicating that the captain was tracking well and could be back for RCB’s next assignment in Hyderabad. He also pointed out that every result carries weight at this stage, with the outcome capable of influencing not only RCB but the wider standings.
Jitesh further clarified the reshuffle in the playing group: Suyash was set to replace Rajat Patidar, and Romario was named in place of Duffy.
Why Rajat Patidar missed the Dharamsala match
With Patidar not featuring against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, reports indicated he did not travel with the squad to the venue and also missed both practice sessions prior to the RCB-PBKS clash.
During the toss, Jitesh reiterated that Patidar’s recovery was progressing well and suggested the captain’s return could come in the next game.
What lies ahead for RCB
After this fixture, the defending champions will turn their attention to their concluding league-stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 22.
Patidar’s absence comes despite a standout IPL 2026 run this season. He has amassed 326 runs in 10 innings, striking at 195, including three half-centuries.
With Patidar out, the spotlight shifts to Jitesh Sharma—who has struggled with the bat this season. In the tournament so far, Jitesh has scored 90 runs.
On the points front, RCB are positioned at the top of the IPL 2026 table, sitting on 16 points from 12 matches. Their record reads eight wins and four defeats, supported by a net run rate of +1.053.
RCB have played 12 matches in total, winning 8 and losing 4, and retaining that same 16-point tally along with a net run rate of +1.053.
Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (w/c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact substitutes
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact subs: Rasikh Salam Dar, Jordan Cox, Abhinandan Singh, Swapnil Singh, Kanishk Chouhan
Punjab Kings Impact Subs: Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Musheer Khan, Praveen Dubey
