• Source:JND
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar is set to return before the IPL 2026 playoffs after recovering from the neck injury that kept him out of RCB’s previous match against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala.

Patidar Ready To Go against SRH

RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat confirmed that Patidar is now fully fit and has resumed training with the squad ahead of the important clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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“Rajat’s good to go,” Bobat said while speaking to reporters in Hyderabad before the May 22 match against SRH. “We were careful with him and didn’t want to take any chances. We felt giving him a little extra time to recover was the right decision. He’s back now, training with the team, and ready to play.”

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Why Patidar missed PBKS clash?

Patidar had missed the crucial game against PBKS after suffering a blow to the helmet during the earlier match against Kolkata Knight Riders. The team management decided to rest him as a precaution because of concussion concerns.

In his absence, Jitesh Sharma stepped in as captain, while Venkatesh Iyer played an important role in strengthening the middle order as RCB confirmed their place in the playoffs.

Patidar’s return comes at the perfect time for RCB, who are now aiming for a top-two finish alongside teams like Gujarat Titans and SRH.

Bobat also praised RCB’s overall consistency this season and said the team is staying focused instead of thinking too far ahead.

“It may sound simple, but we really take one game at a time,” Bobat said. “Whether we play at home or away doesn’t change much for us. We try to understand the conditions, respect the opposition, make plans accordingly, and focus on playing our best cricket. It’s good to see that we’ve been consistent this season. Even in the matches we lost, we stayed competitive.”

Bobat on Bhuvneshwar Kumar's consistency

Bobat also had special praise for experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has impressed throughout the tournament with both his performances and leadership.

“Bhuvi has been outstanding,” Bobat said. “He’s picked up important wickets and has bowled with great rhythm. He has done well both with the new ball and at the death, so we’re really happy with how he’s performing.”

According to Bobat, Bhuvneshwar’s value goes beyond just bowling. The veteran pacer has also been helping younger players and supporting the leadership group during pressure situations.

“He speaks really well during team meetings and brings valuable ideas on the field. He’s a big support for Rajat and Jitesh, especially during tense moments. Players like him add a lot to the team because of their experience and calmness,” he added.


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