Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Rajat Patidar is likely to miss the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 owing to a heel injury.

According to a report published in ESPNCricinfo, Patidar is currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He has been advised three weeks of rest and after that an MRI scan will determine his participation in the second half of the league.

Having suffered the injury before joining the preparatory camp, Patidar will need clearance from NCA before he links up with RCB.

In his absence, RCB will have to figure out their batting combination. With Patidar in the mix, they were able to send Virat Kohli at the top of the order. His absence might force Kohli to bat at No. 3, with either Finn Allen or Anuj Rawat likely to play the role of skipper Faf du Plessis’ opening partner.

Rajat Patidar impressed one and all with his exploits in the 2022 edition of Indian Premier League. He came into the side as a replacement for injured wicketkeeper Luvnith Sisodia and instantly made his mark.

Patidar slammed the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history, scoring 112* off 54 balls against Lucknow Super Giants, in the eliminator. He notched up the three-figure mark in just 49 balls. In seven innings, the right-hander amassed 333 runs at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 152.75, including a ton and two fifties.

His performance in the IPL 2022 and his stellar showing in Madhya Pradesh’s title-winning Ranji Trophy campaign in 2021-22, where he smashed 658 runs in six matches, earned him a spot in India's ODI squad last year.

RCB will open their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 campaign against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 2.

(ESPNCricinfo Inputs)