Royal Challengers Bengaluru are sweating over the availability of their skipper Rajat Patidar for the reminder of the Indian Premier League that resumes on Saturday. The Indian Express understands that Patidar, who injured his finger during RCB’s home fixture against Chennai Super Kings could take a long time to recover and could also miss out on India A squad for the tour of England.
Given that Patidar needs sufficient recovery time, it remains to be seen if he continues to play in the . If the IPL wasn’t suspended for a week because of the tensions in the border, it is understood that Patidar wouldn’t have featured in at least next two games for the franchise. As things stand, Patidar has been advised to wear a splint to protect his finger, with his injury set to be reassessed in the coming days.
It is understood that are still hopeful that Patidar could play some part towards the business end of the tournament, where he could just come in and bat as an Impact Player. But all of it would depend on how his recovery goes in the coming days as he has been told not to bat in the practice sessions.
In case Patidar is ruled out, it would be undoubtedly a telling blow for the franchise which is second in the with their hopes flying high in terms of ending the title drought.
Before the IPL was suspended, RCB happened to lose another middle-order batsman in because of a hamstring injury. Their only left-hander in the top five, RCB replaced him with who is now with the franchise for his second stint.
In case, Patidar isn’t available, RCB are expected to give the captaincy to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma who is already a popular figure in the franchise.
Apart from Patidar, there is also uncertainty around their premier pacer Josh Hazlewood’s availability. The Australian, who flew back home after the tournament was suspended, was already nursing a shoulder injury which made him miss their last match against . After missing three of the five Tests against India, Hazlewood missed Australia’s tour to Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy that followed. There were doubts over his availability for the entire IPL, but he joined the team with an extensive rehab programme in place.
With the World Test Championship final scheduled to begin on June 11 in London, according to reports emerging from Australia, Hazlewood is unlikely to join the RCB camp again.
