IPL 2026: Jitesh Sharma to captain RCB vs PBKS in Dharamsala as Patidar ruled out
Synopsis
RCB's title defence hits a bump in Dharamsala — Rajat Patidar, their 326-run top performer this season, is ruled out against Punjab Kings, the very side they beat in last year's final. Jitesh Sharma takes the armband despite managing just 90 runs all season. A win still seals RCB's playoffs spot, but the middle-order reshuffle is a genuine concern.
Key Takeaways
Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of RCB's IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on 17 May .
Jitesh Sharma will captain RCB in Patidar's absence; Patidar is expected to return for RCB's final league game in Hyderabad .
Patidar has scored 326 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 195 this season, including three half-centuries .
Jitesh has managed just 90 runs in 10 innings — his leanest IPL season since 2022 — and has been dismissed by pacers 8 times .
Phil Salt remains unavailable due to a finger injury; Jacob Bethell is set to open with Virat Kohli .
A win over PBKS will confirm RCB's playoffs berth ; they top the points table heading into the match.
Jitesh Sharma will captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2026 fixture against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala on Sunday, 17 May, after regular skipper Rajat Patidar was ruled out of the match. According to reports, Patidar was absent from RCB's travel videos to Dharamsala and missed both pre-match practice sessions.
Why Patidar Is Missing
A source close to the team confirmed that Rajat Patidar will not feature in the Dharamsala clash. 'Rajat Patidar won't be playing today. Jitesh will be the captain of RCB for this clash,' the source said. The same source added that Patidar 'will be back for RCB's last game in Hyderabad,' suggesting the absence is short-term rather than a serious concern.
Patidar has been among RCB's most consistent batters this season, scoring 326 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 195, including three half-centuries. His absence leaves a notable gap in the middle order, and the team management will need to reshuffle the batting lineup accordingly.
Jitesh Steps Up Again
Jitesh Sharma is no stranger to the captaincy role at RCB. He led the side in a crucial playoff clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during IPL 2025, stepping in after Patidar was deployed as an Impact Substitute. That experience gives him a degree of familiarity with leading the defending champions under pressure.
However, Jitesh's own form this season has been a concern. He has managed just 90 runs in 10 innings — his leanest IPL return since debuting in 2022 — and has been dismissed by pacers on eight occasions. Captaining the side while fighting for personal form adds a layer of complexity to his challenge in Dharamsala.
Playoff Picture and Team News
RCB currently lead the IPL 2026 points table and a victory over PBKS would confirm their playoffs berth. They arrive in Dharamsala on the back of consecutive wins, giving them strong momentum despite the injury setbacks.
The side will also continue without opener Phil Salt, who is recovering from a finger injury sustained while on England duty. In his absence, Jacob Bethell is expected to open alongside Virat Kohli at the top of the order.
The Rematch Context
This fixture carries extra weight as a re-match of the 2025 IPL final, in which RCB edged PBKS to claim their maiden title. Both sides will be acutely aware of the history, making Sunday's encounter at the picturesque HPCA Stadium one of the most anticipated games of the league stage. With a playoffs spot on the line for RCB and pride at stake for PBKS, the contest promises to be fiercely competitive.
Point of View
Not just a personnel shuffle. Jitesh Sharma captaining while out of form is a double bind: he needs runs, but leadership demands he prioritise the team's rhythm over his own. The more revealing question is whether RCB's batting depth, built around Kohli and Patidar, holds up when both pillars are absent simultaneously. If the Bethell-Kohli opening partnership fires and the middle order cobbles together enough, this will look like a blip. If it doesn't, the cracks in squad depth will be harder to ignore heading into the playoffs.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rajat Patidar not playing for RCB against Punjab Kings?
Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of RCB's IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on 17 May. According to reports, he was absent from the team's travel to Dharamsala and missed both practice sessions, though he is expected to return for RCB's final league game in Hyderabad.
Who will captain RCB in Dharamsala against PBKS?
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the absence of regular skipper Rajat Patidar. Jitesh previously captained RCB in a playoff match during IPL 2025.
What are RCB's playoffs chances heading into this match?
RCB currently lead the IPL 2026 points table. A win over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on 17 May will confirm their berth in the playoffs, making the fixture a potential qualification-clincher.
Who will open for RCB with Virat Kohli in Dharamsala?
With Phil Salt still sidelined by a finger injury sustained during England duty, Jacob Bethell is expected to partner Virat Kohli at the top of the order for RCB against PBKS.
What is the significance of the RCB vs PBKS match in Dharamsala?
The fixture is a re-match of the 2025 IPL final, in which RCB defeated Punjab Kings to claim their first-ever IPL title. Both teams carry strong motivation into the contest, which doubles as a potential playoffs-sealing game for RCB.
