Will Rajat Patidar be fit for IPL 2026? RCB captain ruled out for 4 months

In a fresh blow for Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of action for four months. The Madhya Pradesh batter reportedly sustained a muscle tear during the India A vs South Africa A 1st unofficial Test. While Patidar is sure to miss the entire Ranji Trophy season and other domestic tournaments such as SMAT and VHT, it remains to be seen if he will be fit in time for IPL 2026.

Rajat Patidar sidelines for 4 months

As per Dainik Jagaran, Patidar is expected to be out of action for at least four months. This would mean he would have to race against time to be fit at the time of the start of IPL 2026. Rajat ended RCB’s 18-year wait to lift the IPL trophy after guiding them to their maiden title in 2025.

Patidar had an impressive run as captain over the last year. He first led Madhya Pradesh to the finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 where they lost to Mumbai. Then, Rajat-led RCB created history by winning their first-ever IPL title in 2025. Patidar then captained Central Zone in the absence of Dhruv Jurel and led the team to win the Duleep Trophy 2025 as well.

His captaincy charm finally wore off as the Rest of India team led by him was defeated by Vidarbha in the Irani Cup 2025 by 93 runs. Talking about Patidar’s form in IPL 2025, he managed to amass 312 runs from 15 matches, and scored a couple of half-centuries as well.

Rajat was handed over RCB captaincy in 2025 after the franchise released old skipper Faf du Plessis ahead of the mega auction. The decision to elevate Patidar as captain was backed by the RCB management and stalwart Virat Kohli as well. RCB will be hoping Patidar will be fit in time for IPL 2026.