Former Team India and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin strongly opines that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar deserves to make a comeback for the Indian cricket team.
Aswhin’s comments came after Patidar’s blistering, unbeaten 93-run knock off just 33 balls in RCB's clinical 92-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 match on May 26 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
Rajat Patidar takes RCB to another IPL Final
With the commanding win over Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans, RCB has made its place in the final. They are only one win away from defending their title, which they won in 2025, after almost 18 years.
It was Patidar who led the team from the front to break the jinx. As there are multiple star players in the RCB, including Virat Kohli, Patidar often remains less-discussed among the cricket fans. But this season, he is in phenomenal form. The match-defining unbeaten 93-run innings was the hallmark of his ongoing form.
Patidar deserves to be in the Indian National Cricket Team
The Madhya Pradesh-born middle-order batter and the skipper of RCB has so far claimed 86 runs across 13 innings at a strike rate of 196.76, which makes him the second-highest run getter for the team in this campaign.
Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the Indian cricket team selectors should now discuss putting Rajat Patidar into the team again. He has featured in three Tests and one ODI so far in his career. Patidar's last international match for India was a Test match against England from February 23–26, 2024, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
“There must be a discussion. If it doesn't happen, then something is wrong. Rajat Patidar played an important knock, but this is not the first time; he has a great record in Qualifiers,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Shreyas Iyer OUT, Patidar IN?
After the heroics in the play-offs, Ashwin is not keeping Patidar ahead of Shreyas Iyer ahead of the Team India selection. Shreyas Iyer is considered one of the most successful and impactful skippers in the IPL. But, as Patidar has already claimed one and could claim his second as well, the former cricketer would like to see Rajat Patidar over Shreyas Iyer in the Men in Blue colors.
“Before this knock, Shreyas Iyer was a little ahead of Patidar. But after today's knock, Rajat Patidar is right up there. We all know how Rajat Patidar plays spinners, but today, he did well against the fast bowlers as well. It was surprising that no GT bowler tested him with the bouncer,” Ashwin stated.
“If Shreyas Iyer's amazing form coincided with PBKS making it to the playoffs, [it would have been ideal]. I still think Shreyas Iyer is in contention, but if, by captaining RCB and reaching the final with such a knock, who knows, he might defend the title as well, then it is important to talk about him. Not just talk, it is important to give him a chance,” he added.
