IPL 2025: Jitesh Sharma was set to lead RCB against LSG following Rajat Patidar's injury

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar is currently recovering from a finger injury which would have ruled him out of a couple of matches if IPL 2025 happened as per schedule. But, the 18th edition of IPL was suspended for a week due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan and the tournament’s halt gave the batter ample time to recover without missing matches.

The right-handed batter sustained the injury during the home game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3. The top-order batter was made to wear a splint to protect the finger and refrain from training for at least ten days.

RCB remains cautious with the 31-year-old recovery, as the player is under the selection for the upcoming India A tour of England. The right-hander returned to Bengaluru from Lucknow and was positive about playing the remainder of the IPL season.

RCB, with the Indore-born cricketer being injured, turned to Jitesh Sharma to lead the team against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the IPL on May 8.

"I was very grateful for the opportunity given to me. They were giving me an opportunity to captain RCB and it's a very big thing for me and my family. I was thinking of what the right combination would be because both Devdutt [Padikkal] and Rajat were not available, and it was a big responsibility to replace them,”  Jitesh said on RCB Bold Diaries.

"And as per the position we were on the points table, we would have won this game. All of this was going on in my head and all the meetings with coaches and players in those two-three days, batting order, discussions with bowlers. I had good fun," he added.

All of RCB’s overseas players and coaching staff had left India but were asked to remain on hold to return should the tournament restart. RCB are second in the points table with 16 points and have three remaining fixtures.