RCB Captaincy Change Sparks Controversy: Jitesh Sharma Replaces Rajat Patidar, Fans React
RCB Captaincy Change Sparks Controversy: Jitesh Sharma Replaces Rajat Patidar, Fans React
In an unusual development, RCB has suffered a huge blow ahead of the IPL 2026 clash against the Punjab Kings. Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma has replaced Rajat Patidar as captain, and fans are baffled by the snub of Virat Kohli.
Jitesh Sharma to replace Rajat Patidar as RCB captain
RCB are set to face PBKS on Sunday afternoon at Dharamsala in a crucial IPL game where playoff berths are at stake. However, in such a high-stakes encounter, the defending champions will miss the services of their captain.
Rajat Patidar is officially ruled out of the IPL 2026 clash between RCB and PBKS. The captain reportedly didn’t travel with the team to Dharamsala and also skipped multiple practice sessions. This is clearly a hint that the skipper is suffering from an undisclosed injury.
Moreover, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma formally replaced Patidar to become RCB’s stand-in captain for this fixture. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Jitesh has led RCB. In IPL 2025, he led Bengaluru against SRH and LSG when Rajat was injured. Moreover, before joining RCB, Sharma had been the vice-captain for Punjab Kings.
Fans unhappy as RCB snub Virat Kohli
Meanwhile, fans on social media are displeased with this development. Many supporters feel that Virat Kohli should have replaced Rajat Patidar as RCB captain for his esteemed history with the franchise.
Kohli led RCB for a decade and became the face of the franchise. Even today, a large part of the team’s fanbase exists because of Kohli’s presence. Hence, when their full-time skipper Rajat Patidar became unavailable, fans expected Virat Kohli to step up for old times’ sake and also because he has such vast experience as a leader.
However, when RCB turned to Jitesh Sharma instead, fans were extremely unhappy and expressed their resentment on social media.
PBKS opt to bowl first at Dharamsala
Meanwhile, the toss went down at Dharamsala, and Shreyas Iyer made the right call as the Punjab Kings opted to field first. PBKS made two changes. Harpreet Brar and Lockie Ferguson have been recalled, while Vishnu Vinod and Xavier Bartlett have been dropped.
On the other hand, RCB called in Suyash Sharma to replace captain Jacob Duffy, while Romario Shepherd is back in the playing XI to replace captain Rajat Patidar. Venkatesh Iyer is also included in the starting XI.
Notably, this is a crucial encounter for PBKS, as they have lost their last 5 fixtures. A loss here would hinder their playoff qualification odds massively. But RCB are in a much safer place. They are seated at the top of the points table with 8 points in 12 games and a healthy NRR.
Follow PBKS vs RCB Live Updates For Each And Every Detail Of The High-Octane IPL 2026 Clash
Shaan Cooper is a cricket journalist and SEO content writer from Bengaluru who focuses on breaking cricket news, live match coverage, and player performance stories. Her writing style combines fast-paced reporting with detailed cricket knowledge tailored for digital sports platforms.
More Stories
