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Rajat-Patidar. (Photo Source: X/IPL)

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume on May 17 and the first clash will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. But, the home team got a setback with the skipper likely to miss the clash with the defending champions.

The right-handed batter sustained a finger injury during the match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and is currently recovering. Even though the pause in the IPL 2025 due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan gave the 31-year-old ample time to recover from the injury, he is not match fit yet and needs some more time to recover, as per an Indian Express report.

The batter also might not be part of India A squad for the two-match unofficial Test series against England Lions, which will be held just before India’s five-match Test series against England, starting in June.

The top-order batter was supposed to miss the clash with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) but the IPL suspension came into effect the same day. It emerged later that wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma was chosen to lead the in that match. Meanwhile, there is no confirmation yet regarding the batter’s absence against the KKR clash, and it remains to be seen who will lead RCB.

Meanwhile, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who had undergone rehabilitation earlier this year to recover from a string of injuries including a side strain and a calf issue, is also under doubt for RCB as he has been named in Australia's squad for the World Test Championship 2023-25 Final against South Africa. The clash will begin from June 11 at Lord’s, London.