IPL 2023: RCB's Rajat Patidar ruled out due to Achilles injury

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IPL 2023: Star Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 due to an Achilles injury. The 29-year-old had not featured for RCB in the first match.

The injury of the top-order batter comes as a major blow for the Faf du Plessis-led side who are aiming for their first IPL title. Notably, pacer Josh Hazlewood has also been ruled out of the first few matches of the RCB due to the same injury.

"Unfortunately, Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of IPL 2023 due to an Achilles Heel injury. 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," RCB tweeted on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old has played eight matches for RCB last year and scored 333 runs at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 152.75. The Madhya Pradesh batter had hit a hundred against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Eliminator at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

In the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals (RR), the right-hand batter top-scored for RCB with 58 off 42 balls. Patidar was last seen playing in early February for Madhya Pardesh's semi-final match against Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2022-23.

He got out for a duck in the first innings and scored 52 off 58 in the second innings. Following his domestic side's ouster from the tournament, he was undergoing rehab at the NCA in lead up to the IPL 2023.

RCB won their first match against Mumbai Indians by eight wickets on Sunday. They next face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday.