Rajat Patidar set to earn India selection call, claims Virender Sehwag – Virender Sehwag Backs Rajat Patidar for India Call-Up Following IPL 2026 Heroics
The Rise of a New T20 Star
In the high-stakes environment of the Indian Premier League, few players have managed to capture the imagination of cricket legends as effectively as Rajat Patidar has in 2026. As the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Patidar has transformed into a destructive force, leading his side to the IPL 2026 final with a blend of calculated aggression and ice-cold composure. His recent performance in Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans has prompted Virender Sehwag, one of India’s most destructive former openers, to declare that a national team selection is imminent.
A Historic Campaign for Patidar
Patidar’s statistics in the current season are nothing short of remarkable. Across 13 innings, he has amassed 486 runs, maintaining a stellar average of over 44. However, it is his strike rate—nearly 197—that has truly set him apart from his contemporaries. This aggressive approach reached its zenith during the Qualifier 1 match in Dharamshala, where he hammered an unbeaten 93 off just 33 deliveries.
His strike rate during that specific innings, a jaw-dropping 281.81, was the primary engine behind RCB posting a record-breaking total of 254/5. The Gujarat Titans, despite their pedigree, found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer velocity and precision of Patidar’s batting, eventually falling well short of the target.
Sehwag’s High Praise
Virender Sehwag, known for his keen eye on batting talent, was particularly impressed by how Patidar navigated the pressure of losing early wickets. In a recent discussion on Cricbuzz, Sehwag highlighted the tactical maturity of the RCB skipper.
“When he had come into bat, two wickets had fallen in the same over,” Sehwag remarked. “From there, he handled the situation, structured his innings, and then completely wreaked havoc in the end. He hit sixes in every direction; those were calculated hits. He knows what his strengths are; he waits for the ball. I am saying that the Indian team is not far away at all.”
This endorsement from an icon like Sehwag carries significant weight, as it acknowledges not just the power-hitting ability of the player, but his capacity to absorb pressure and stabilize an innings when the team is in a precarious position.
The National Selection Conundrum
The sentiment is shared by former Indian pacer Mohit Sharma, who was part of the Gujarat Titans setup during the season. Mohit acknowledged that Patidar’s current form is creating a pleasant headache for the Indian national selectors, especially with upcoming T20I series against Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe.
The central question now facing the BCCI selection committee is how to integrate such a high-performing talent into an already crowded top order. As Mohit Sharma noted, “He is batting brilliantly. Now the question for him is how do you run things in the future? How can you play for India? How will the space be created?”
A Focused Road to the Final
With RCB now safely through to the final scheduled for May 31, Sehwag has offered a word of caution to the Bengaluru side. He believes that while they have the momentum, they must not fall into the trap of overconfidence. The advantage of having a few days to prepare for the conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad should, according to Sehwag, be utilized for rigorous practice.
“They can’t afford to relax just because they are in the final,” Sehwag warned. “It is their benefit that they will be able to practice there for 2 days. The other team that will qualify for the final will not even get a chance to practice there, because they will have to travel on their break day. Also, RCB have played at that ground so many times, and have won the title there also.”
As the cricket fraternity looks toward the final, all eyes will undoubtedly remain on Rajat Patidar. Whether he lifts the trophy or not, his path to the national side seems clearer than ever, with his performances serving as a resounding statement to those responsible for the future of Indian cricket.
