Rajat Patidar’s omission from India’s squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, as well as the 2026 Asian Games, has become one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket. When the selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, announced the squads, many fans and experts were surprised to see the in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain left out despite an outstanding season.

Patidar enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign, leading RCB to a second consecutive title and becoming only the third captain in tournament history to win back-to-back championships. Before him, only MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma had achieved that milestone with the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians, respectively.

The 33-year-old was not just impressive as a leader but also delivered consistently with the bat. Patidar scored 501 runs in 15 matches at an average of 41.75 and a blistering strike rate of 192.69. His campaign included five half-centuries and several match-winning performances in the middle order, further strengthening his case for a national-team recall.

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A few days after the squad announcement, RCB appeared to express its support for Rajat Patidar by posting on social media, highlighting his exceptional numbers since 2024. The franchise showcased that Patidar has scored 1,208 runs in 41 innings with 12 half-centuries during that period.

Bro literally broke the door open and walked away… 😂 pic.twitter.com/rHQcQDSFEz

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 8, 2026

The post also highlighted several eye-catching records. Patidar has smashed 89 sixes since 2024, the most by any Indian non-opener. He also owns the highest strike rate among Indian non-openers with more than 500 runs, scoring at 172.57. Additionally, 74.25 percent of his runs in IPL 2026 came through boundaries, the highest percentage among Indian middle-order batters.

Following the squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar was asked whether Patidar’s name had been discussed during the selection meeting. “We discussed a host of players. We think these 15 are deserving,” Agarkar explained.

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He acknowledged the depth of talent available in Indian cricket, adding that several players were unlucky to miss out. While Patidar remains outside the current setup, his recent performances suggest he is firmly in contention for future opportunities if he continues his impressive run of form.