New Delhi, May 17 -- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were forced to bench regular captain Rajat Patidar in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter against Punjab Kings at Dharamsala on Sunday. Instead of Patidar, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma walked out for the coin toss on a sunny afternoon alongside Punjab Kings counterpart Shreyas Iyer.

With 16 points from 12 games, RCB are sitting atop the IPL 2026 points table and Patidar absence against Punjab Kings is a huge blow to the defending champions. A win on Sunday will seal RCB's spot in the playoffs. On the other hand, fourth-placed Punjab Kings are on a five-match winless streak and need a win to secure their spot in the last four.

Asked about Patidar's absence, Jitesh inform...