File image of Rajat Patidar with Virat Kohli© BCCI
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batsman Rajat Patidar was ruled out of the entire IPL season on Tuesday due to an Achilles heel injury, dealing a major blow to the team. The 29-year-old was RCB’s third-highest scorer last year with 333 runs in eight games at 55.50, including two fifties. He hit the fastest century by an Indian in IPL in Qualifier 1. “Unfortunately, Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of IPL2023 due to an Achilles heel injury,” RCB said in a statement.
“We wish Rajat a speedy recovery and will continue to support him throughout the process. The coaches and management have decided not to appoint a replacement player for Rajat yet,” it added.
It was initially thought that Patidar, who suffered the injury prior to joining the RCB camp, would be available for at least the second half of the IPL season, but Tuesday’s announcement has added to the team’s troubles.
The news comes as Australian Josh Hazlewood, the team’s second most successful bowler with 20 wickets in 12 games last season, has indicated he will not be match fit until the fourth week of April.
On Monday, RCB’s England pacer Reece Topley dislocated his right shoulder in cyclocross during the team’s eight-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in Bengaluru.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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