Rajat Patidar back in time for RCB vs SRH top two pressures, Mo Bobat confirms

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar is expected to return before the IPL 2026 playoffs after recovering from a neck injury that forced him to miss the team’s previous match against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala. RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat confirmed that the skipper is fully fit and training with the team ahead of their crucial clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Patidar’s return is a big boost for RCB, who have already secured a place in the playoffs and are now aiming for a top two spot alongside Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Rajat is good to go,” Bobat told reporters in Hyderabad ahead of RCB’s clash against SRH on May 22. “We were careful and didn’t take any chances with him. We thought we’d give him a bit longer to recover and rest, but he’s here, training and good to go.”

Patidar missed out on a must-win battle against PBKS due to precautionary concussion concerns after sustaining a blow to his helmet in the previous match against Kolkata Knight Riders. In his absence, wicket-keeper batsman Jitesh Sharma stepped in as captain, while Venkatesh Iyer played a key role in stabilizing the middle order during RCB’s successful run to the playoffs.

Bobat also praised the team’s consistency this season and he insisted that the franchise continues to focus on taking one game at a timee despite rising stakes heading into the business end of the tournament.

“It sounds a bit cliche but we try to take it one game at a time. Whether we’re home or away, we don’t really care. We try to understand the conditions, respect the opposition, plan for them and then focus on what we’re good at and try to do that as best we can,” he said. “It’s pleasing that we’ve been consistent. Of course we’ve won a number of games and even the games we haven’t won we’ve been competitive.

BHUVI RE-GEN?

Bobat also reserved special praise for veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he highlighted both his performances on the field and his leadership qualities in the team.

“Bhuvi was brilliant. His results were excellent, he got a lot of wickets but he also bowled with excellent rhythm,” said Bobat. “He’s been effective at the front of the innings and at the back as well, so we’re very happy with the way he’s been performing.”

The RCB official further emphasized the importance of Bhuvneshwar’s experience in guiding younger players and group leadership support. “He’s a good speaker in meetings, a good source of insight and ideas on the pitch under pressure. He can also be a big support to Rajat and Jitesh, which is really important. We get huge value from him because he gives us so much,” he added.

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Published on:

21 May 2026 20:46 IST

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