Not Virat Kohli but Jitesh Sharma was RCB’s backup captain vs LSG amid Rajat Patidar injury

Jitesh Sharma was set to lead RCB against LSG amid Rajat Patidar injury. (Photo: RCB/IPL)

Before India-Pakistan tensions forced the suspension of the IPL 2025 season, Jitesh Sharma was due to captain RCB in their match against LSG on May 9 at the Ekana stadium as Rajat Patidar was injured. The wicketkeeper disclosed that he had previously considered the game's strategy prior to the competition being postponed because of the tensions between India and Pakistan across the border.

The RCB captain was asked to wear a splint and skip ten days of training after Patidar suffered a finger injury during the team's May 3 victory over CSK, according to ESPN Cricinfo. As a result, the MP batter would not have been present at the May 13 home match versus SRH or the LSG encounter.

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According to Jitesh, he and his family were thrilled to be granted the chance to captain RCB against LSG. The wicketkeeper stated that he was already considering Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal's replacements for the game's starting lineup.

"I was very grateful for the opportunity given to me," Jitesh said on RCB Bold Diaries. "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."

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"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."

Because they want their captain to be prepared for the remainder of the tournament and remain eligible for selection in the India A squad for the England visit, RCB is being cautious with Patidar. Patidar will be able to fully recover because the IPL is now anticipated to resume on May 16.

As soon as the tournament formally resumes, RCB and LSG are anticipated to play each other.