As conversations around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s possible senior India debut and Shreyas Iyer’s return to the T20I fold dominated the headlines, Rajat Patidar continued to do his work quietly. The Bengaluru batter’s 93-run effort off 33 deliveries against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 served as a blunt reminder that he has the temperament and skill to influence knockout cricket. With Royal Challengers Bengaluru also booking a second straight berth in the final, Patidar’s name is now firmly in the spotlight.
Patidar’s rise and the captaincy factor
Patidar was appointed as RCB’s captain ahead of the 2025 season. In his first year leading the side, he guided the franchise to its maiden IPL title, ending an 18-year wait for a championship. Far from fading after that landmark success, the 32-year-old has once again taken RCB to the summit match this season, turning the “new captain” narrative into a more convincing storyline of impact.
On the field, the leadership has been matched by steady output. Over the last three seasons, Patidar crossed the 300-run mark, underlining his reliability. This campaign, he has been even more productive—accumulating 486 runs in 14 matches at an average of 44.18, including five half-centuries. Those numbers have helped RCB stay in contention deep into the tournament, with Patidar serving as one of the key stabilisers in the batting order.
What was said after Qualifier 1 vs Gujarat Titans
After his knock in Qualifier 1, former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that Patidar’s performances are difficult to ignore from a selection perspective. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said there should be an active conversation about where Patidar fits, pointing out that this was not a one-off contribution.
Ashwin also compared the moment to earlier selection talk, stating that before the knock, Shreyas Iyer had been slightly ahead of Patidar in the pecking order. However, he argued that Patidar’s innings effectively pushed him back into the conversation. Ashwin noted Patidar’s known ability against spin, but highlighted that on the day he also handled pace well—adding that it was notable Gujarat Titans didn’t test him with the bouncer.
The bigger selection picture for Patidar
While Patidar has already represented India in three ODIs and one T20I, he has not yet made a lasting impression in the limited chances he has received. Now, as his T20I case strengthens through high-pressure performances, the task is complicated by the depth of India’s middle order. The current squad is packed with established options, leaving fewer openings for newcomers.
There are other dynamics as well. Suryakumar Yadav, despite being out of form at the moment, has already proven his class at the highest level and has played a major role in India’s T20 World Cup success. Even if the selectors look beyond Suryakumar, Shreyas Iyer—another consistent performer with a track record of delivering—appears to be positioned among the leading contenders.
For Patidar, the message is clear: his route to a bigger India role will likely depend on continuing to produce under scrutiny—especially in the kind of matches where pressure brings out the best in him, as it did in Qualifier 1.
