Rajat Patidar‘s omission from India‘s latest T20I squad has emerged as one of the biggest talking points following the announcement for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England. Despite captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to consecutive IPL titles and producing another outstanding season with the bat, the Madhya Pradesh batter failed to secure a place in the national setup. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has now shed light on the decision, emphasizing the intense competition for places in India’s T20I side.
Rajat Patidar’s exclusion raises eyebrows across cricket circles
When India’s T20I squad was unveiled, several notable changes grabbed attention. Youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi earned a call-up, while Shreyas Iyer was appointed captain in place of Suryakumar Yadav. However, one of the most surprising omissions was Patidar.
The RCB skipper had entered the selection conversation on the back of a remarkable IPL campaign and an impressive leadership record. Having guided Bengaluru to back-to-back IPL triumphs in 2025 and 2026, many expected Patidar to be rewarded with a return to the Indian T20I setup.
His performances throughout the season strengthened that belief. Patidar consistently delivered in crucial situations, anchoring innings when required and accelerating when the team needed quick runs. His leadership credentials also received widespread praise as RCB successfully defended their IPL crown.
Given his recent success and experience in pressure situations, many fans and experts believed he had done enough to earn a place in the national squad. However, the selectors ultimately chose a different combination, leaving Patidar on the sidelines once again.
Ajit Agarkar explains selection committee’s decision
Addressing the media after the squad announcement, chief selector Agarkar acknowledged that Patidar was among several players discussed during the selection meeting. Agarkar stressed that the selection process remains highly competitive due to the vast talent pool available in Indian cricket. According to him, several players who are good enough to represent the country inevitably miss out because only a limited number of spots are available.
“We discussed a host of players. We think these 15 are deserving. There are a lot of good players in India. There are plenty who are good enough to walk into the team, but the guys playing are doing as well as they can. We think we’ve picked a good squad. There will always be players missing out, but we’ve picked a good squad, and we are happy with this one,” Agarkar said during the press conference.
His comments suggest that Patidar’s exclusion was not necessarily a reflection of his performances but rather the fierce competition for places within India’s middle order.
A stunning IPL 2026 campaign goes unrewarded
Patidar’s IPL 2026 numbers underline why his omission has generated so much debate. The right-handed batter amassed 501 runs during the season while striking at a staggering rate of 192.69. His ability to dominate both pace and spin made him one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in the tournament.
Across the campaign, Patidar smashed 30 boundaries and cleared the ropes 42 times, often shifting momentum in RCB’s favour. Beyond the statistics, his tactical awareness and calm leadership played a major role in helping Bengaluru secure another championship.
Despite those achievements, national selection remains elusive for the 33-year-old. While the selectors have backed a different group for the upcoming assignments, Patidar’s consistency and leadership credentials ensure that he will remain firmly in contention for future opportunities if he continues his rich vein of form.
