IPL 2025: Why is Jitesh Sharma captaining RCB in place of Rajat Patidar against SRH?

Jitesh Sharma leads RCB in place of Rajat Patidar against SRH (BCCI Photo)

Fans were instore for a big surprise as wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma walked out for toss instead of Rajat Patidar in the IPL 2025 encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday. The match was initially scheduled to be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru but weather conditions in the southern city forced BCCI to move the action to Lucknow.

Meanwhile, speaking at the toss Jitesh reminded this isn't the first time he is leading a side in the IPL. "It's my first time captaining RCB. I captained PBKS against SRH last year," he told Ravi Shastri during the toss. (Follow | RCB vs SRH 2025, Today's IPL Match Live Score Updates)

Giving insights on the mood in the camp, Jitesh added: "We are looking forward to finish the league on top of the table and enter the playoffs. The management has taken care of the players. We have a good atmosphere and culture. We want to win every game and win the cup."

Meanwhile, regular skipper Rajat Patidar was named among the Impact Substitutes, whereas former RCB player Mayank Agarwal, who has been drafted as the replacement for Devdutt Padikkal, was part of the playing XI.

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Why is Rajat Patidar not part of playing XI?

Rajat Patidar had suffered a finger injury before the league was suspended midway due to cross border tensions between India and Pakistan, which threatened to grow into a full-fledged war. Although RCB are playing after a gap of almost 20 days, it seems Patidar is yet to recover completely from the injury.

"Rajat Patidar for one has given his right hand a little bit of time to settle after getting quite a bad knock. So, he is fit to bat, which is great," RCB head coach Andy Flower had informed at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.