IPL 2026: RCB Captain Rajat Patidar Sidelined for Four Months With Injury
Rajat Patidar has been ruled out for four months after sustaining an injury on the South Africa A tour, casting doubt over his domestic season but keeping him hopeful for IPL 2026.
Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain and India batter, has been ruled out of action for nearly four months after suffering an injury during the first unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A.
According to reports, the 32-year-old sustained the setback while batting in the four-day match and will now miss a major chunk of India’s domestic season, including the upcoming Ranji Trophy.
Patidar’s absence comes as a big blow to both Madhya Pradesh and his hopes of returning to India’s Test side. The right-hander was using the South Africa A tour as an opportunity to strengthen his case for national selection after being in and out of the squad in recent months.
The Madhya Pradesh batter was in good form before the injury, having scored his maiden double century in the Ranji Trophy against Punjab earlier this year. However, he failed to make a strong impression in the A tour opener, managing scores of 19 and 28 in his two innings.
While the exact nature of his injury hasn’t been disclosed yet, reports suggest that he could remain out of action until February 2026. The BCCI is yet to release an official update on his recovery timeline.
Will Rajat Patidar play IPL 2026 for RCB?
Despite the setback, Patidar is expected to regain full fitness ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which begins in late March. His recovery period means he should be available in time to lead RCB’s title defense after their historic triumph earlier this year.
However, RCB management will closely monitor his rehabilitation before making any final decision regarding his participation in the tournament.
