Rajat Patidar has made a comeback from injury but it is Jitesh Sharma leading RCB in their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow. Patidar suffered a finger injury but underwent rehabilitation when the IPL 2025 was suspended for 10 days. The MP ace is only fit to return as an impact substitute, with deputy Jitesh Sharma calling the shots in the RCB vs SRH game.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Lungi Ngidi, Suyash Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar Salam Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh
Jitesh Sharma leads RCB vs SRH, Patidar likely impact sub
Rajat Patidar was facing a spell on the sidelines with a finger injury threatening to rule him out of IPL 2025. Fortunately for him, the tournament was suspended for 10 days, allowing to recuperate. While the RCB captain has trained extensively in the nets, it was considered best to ease him in given the nature of his injury.
Patidar hence gave the armband to Jitesh Sharma, who becomes the latest to lead RCB in IPL. The Vidarbha keeper won the toss and opted to field, with Rajat set to be the impact substitute. Jitesh has previously captained Punjab Kings, standing in for Shikhar Dhawan.
Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar… and now Jitesh Sharma!
The 9⃣th leader of the BOLD! Go well, Jitu!
PS. Don’t worry, Rajat is among the impact subs. pic.twitter.com/iIAN0Aas1N
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 23, 2025
The RCB XI has seen plenty of changes since the tournament halted and resumed. Phil Salt returns after a bout of illness, while Mayank Agarwal replaces the injured Devdutt Padikkal. Lungi Ngidi keeps his spot with Josh Hazlewood still unavailable. Despite a half-century, Jacob Bethell finds himself on the bench.
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