Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar has continued his dream run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with another breathtaking knock in Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans, helping his side storm into a second consecutive IPL final.
Rajat Patidar's fearless batting and remarkable consistency have now sparked fresh debates over his selection in the Indian T20I team, with former cricketers Aakash Chopra and Ambati Rayudu providing him with unprecedented backing.
Rajat Patidar Leads RCB to Second Consecutive IPL Final with a Batting Masterclass
Rajat Patidar once again delivered when RCB needed him the most. In the high-pressure Qualifier 1 clash against the Gujarat Titans, the RCB skipper played a sensational knock of 93 runs off just 33 balls and completely dismantled one of the strongest bowling attacks in IPL 2026.
Patidar smashed five fours and nine massive sixes during his breathtaking innings as the Gujarat Titans failed to find any answers to his aggressive intent. The right-hander initially spent some time settling in after RCB lost a couple of wickets, but once he shifted gears, the momentum of the match changed instantly.
The innings was not just about power-hitting. It showcased Patidar’s maturity, game awareness, and ability to absorb pressure before launching an attack. His fearless approach helped RCB register a dominant playoff victory and seal a second consecutive IPL final appearance.
RCB also entered an elite list with the win. They became one of the very few franchises in IPL history to qualify for back-to-back finals. Only franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans had previously achieved the feat.
Patidar also scripted history individually after winning the Player of the Match award in Qualifier 1. He became one of the rare IPL captains to win a Man of the Match award in a playoffs encounter, joining an exclusive list featuring legends like Adam Gilchrist, Anil Kumble, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer.
Aakash Chopra and Ambati Rayudu Back Rajat Patidar for India T20I Selection
Patidar’s stunning rise has now triggered conversations around his place in India’s T20I side. Former India opener Aakash Chopra strongly backed the RCB captain and suggested that his T20I selection is around the corner.
“Rajat Patidar should be playing in the T20Is for India soon,” former India batter Aakash Chopra wrote on X.
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu also echoed similar views and praised Patidar’s remarkable growth over the last couple of seasons.
“I think there are about two or three guys whose names I would write first and then build the squad around them, and he is definitely one of them,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo.
“You need him in the T20 squad. There is no two ways about it.” When Rayudu was asked whether he sees Patidar potentially taking over Suryakumar Yadav’s role in Indian team, Rayudu responded: “Yes, of course.”
Will Rajat Patidar Receive India T20I Call-up?
Patidar’s incredible IPL 2026 campaign has undoubtedly strengthened his chances of making it to the Indian T20I team. The right-hander has been among the most destructive batters of the season and has consistently delivered under pressure while also leading RCB brilliantly.
At the same time, Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles in IPL 2026 have raised fresh concerns around India’s middle-order combination. The Mumbai Indians star endured an inconsistent campaign and failed to produce the kind of dominance fans have become accustomed to seeing from him in T20 cricket.
Suryakumar managed only a handful of impactful innings throughout the tournament, while Patidar continued producing match-winning knocks regularly for RCB. With Indian cricket entering a fresh T20 World Cup cycle, selectors could now start looking towards more in-form options.
Shreyas Iyer has also emerged as a strong contender because of his consistency and leadership in recent IPL seasons. Both Iyer and Patidar have shown tremendous growth as captains and batters, which could heavily influence India’s future T20 plans.
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