Rajat Patidarrelease of India‘s final T20I squad emerged as one of the biggest talking points after the announcement for the upcoming tours. Ireland and England. Despite being a captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) produced another outstanding season with the bat to back-to-back IPL titles, Madhya Pradesh failed to make it to the national set-up. Chief Elector Ajit Agarkar He has now shed light on the decision, highlighting the intense competition for places in India’s T20I side.
Rajat Patidar’s dismissal raises eyebrows in cricket circles
When India’s T20I squad was unveiled, several notable changes caught the eye. Little Vaibhav Suryavanshi won the challenge Shreyas Iyer captain was appointed instead Suryakumar Yadav. But one of the most striking omissions was the Patidars.
The RCB skipper 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 wins in 2025 and 2026, many expected Patidar to be rewarded with a return to the Indian T20I setup.
His performances throughout the season reinforced this belief. Patidar has consistently performed in crucial situations, anchoring the innings when needed and pacing the team when quick runs are needed. His leadership credentials were also widely praised as RCB successfully defended their IPL crown.
Given his recent success and experience in pressure situations, many fans and pundits believed he had done enough to earn a place in the national team. However, the voters ultimately opted for a different combination, leaving Patidar out once again.
Ajit Agarkar explains the selection committee’s decision
Addressing the media after the squad announcement, chief selector Agarkar admitted that Patidar was among the few players discussed in the selection meeting. Agarkar emphasized that the selection process remains highly competitive due to the vast talent pool available in Indian cricket. According to him, the few players who are good enough to represent the country are inevitably left out because there are only a limited number of places available.
“We discussed a lot of players. We think this 15 is deserving. India has a lot of good players. There are enough good players to get into the team, but the guys who are playing are doing as well as they can. We think we have picked a good squad. There will always be players missing, but we have picked a good squad and we are happy with that,” Agarkar said during the press conference.
His comments suggest that Patidar’s exclusion is not necessarily a reflection of his performances, but fierce competition for places in India’s middle ranks.
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The spectacular IPL 2026 campaign remains unrewarded
Patidar’s IPL 2026 numbers highlight why his release has sparked so much debate. The right-handed batsman scored 501 runs during the season and struck at an amazing rate of 192.69. His ability to dominate both pace and spin has made him one of the most dangerous middle-order batsmen in the tournament.
Throughout the campaign, Patidar smashed 30 boundaries and cleared the ropes 42 times, often swinging the momentum in RCB’s favour. Apart from the stats, his tactical awareness and calm leadership played a major role in securing another championship for Bengaluru.
Despite these achievements, national selection remains elusive for the 33-year-old. Although the selectors have backed a different group for the upcoming assignments, Patidar’s consistency and leadership credentials ensure that he will fight hard for future opportunities if he continues his rich vein of form.
Also READ: Ajit Agarkar explains Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy and why he lost his place in India’s T20I squad
