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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar was once again overlooked for India selection, and Harbhajan Singh has openly questioned the national selectors’ decision, especially because he has been one of the standout performers in the IPL over the last two seasons.
On Saturday, June 6, the Indian selectors announced the squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England as well as the Asian Games 2026. While Shreyas Iyer was named the new T20I captain and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi received his maiden call-up, many were shocked to see Patidar once again missed out on the India selection.
Harbhajan Singh slams Indian selectors over Rajat Patidar omission
Reacting to the shocking snub, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his disappointment as he felt Rajat Patidar deserved a place in the T20I squad. The former World Cup winner called the right-handed batter the best middle-order batter in India, who has great strike rate and technique. Given that, Harbhajan slammed the selectors for an ‘unfair’ call.
After winning back-to-back IPL titles as captain and producing another outstanding season with the bat, Harbhajan believes that he had done enough to earn a place in India's T20I team.
Harbhajan Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Sad no Rajat Patidar in the Indian squad. What else does he need to do? Scored 501 runs, strike rate almost 200. Unfair 💔 @rrjjt_01 Easily the best middle order in India. Proper striker with good technique.”
Sad no Rajat Patidar in the indian squad. What else he needs to do ? Scored 501 runs strike rate almost 200 . Unfair 💔 @rrjjt_01 Easily the best middle order in India . Proper striker with good technique
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 6, 2026
Rajat Patidar's dream IPL season ends in selection heartbreak
Over the last two IPL seasons, Patidar has not only delivered with the bat but has also shown excellent leadership skills while leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He guided RCB to their first-ever IPL title and then defended the title in 2026.
The right-hander was among the dangerous middle-order batters this season. He impressed one and all with his calm captaincy and match-winning knocks. The 33-year-old finished IPL 2026 with 501 runs from 15 matches at a blistering strike rate of nearly 200. He smashed 42 sixes this season.
Patidar also handled pressure situations brilliantly, and his performances against both pace and spin this season highlighted his growth as a complete T20 batter. And that’s why his exclusion has surprised many. Notably, Patidar has already played one Test and a couple of ODIs for India.
Ajit Agarkar breaks silence on Rajat Patidar's shock exclusion from T20I squad
When asked about Rajat Patidar's absence from the T20I squads, Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that team selection is never easy. He revealed that several players had performed well enough to be considered, including Patidar, but the selectors could only choose 15 players in the squad.
Agarkar said at the press conference: “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.”
