Injury Update from RCB: Third-highest scorer in 2022 gets ruled out of IPL 2023; replacement to be announced soon
The start of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League has been great so far. Teams played a home game after a wait of three seasons, which was the biggest positive that season brought for its fans. But with two months of competition, the list of injuries is getting wider and wider.
Royal Challengers Bangalore had a great start to their campaign when they thrashed the Mumbai Indians at home to register their first win of the season. However, RCB had some other issues in their lineup.
Josh Hazlewood, who is still recovering from his injury, is yet to join the team and is likely to be part of the RCB setup in the second half. Then, the English pacer Reece Topley injured his shoulder during the game against MI, which looked severe.
And now, there is another big news coming from RCB camp. The star batter Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of the competition with his Achilles' Heel injury. Earlier, he was expected to join the team in the second half as he was completing his rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Unfortunately, Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of #IPL2023 due to an Achilles Heel injury. 💔
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 4, 2023
We wish Rajat a speedy recovery and will continue to support him during the process. 💪
The coaches and management have decided not to name a replacement player for Rajat just yet. 🗒️ pic.twitter.com/c76d2u70SY
But now, it has been officially confirmed that the 29-year-old will not be part of the team in 2023. It will be a big setback for the franchise, as Patidar was their best batter in the playoff stage last season. He smashed a brilliant century against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator and followed it up with a half-century in the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.
He scored 333 runs in just 7 innings at an impressive average and strike rate of 55.50 and 152.75, with a best of 112 not out. Notably, in his absence, Dinesh Karthik came out to bat at No. 3 against MI, but he might continue to play as a finisher for the team.
Thus, RCB needs to find the right man to replace him at No. 3. Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, and Mahipal Lomror are some Indian batters who can be used in Patidar's place. But everyone is waiting for Patidar's replacement to be announced soon. RCB will now play against Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday at the Eden Gardens.