Rajat Patidar set to earn India selection call, claims Virender Sehwag – Virender Sehwag Backs Rajat Patidar for India Call-Up After IPL 2026 Heroics

A Star is Born: Rajat Patidar’s Meteoric Rise

In the high-octane environment of the Indian Premier League, few players have managed to capture the imagination of fans and experts quite like Rajat Patidar in 2026. As the captain of the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Patidar has not only led with poise but has redefined the role of a middle-order anchor-turned-aggressor. His consistent brilliance has not gone unnoticed, with legendary opener Virender Sehwag declaring that a maiden call-up to the Indian T20I squad is surely on the horizon.

The Numbers Behind the Brilliance

Patidar’s statistics in the ongoing IPL 2026 season are nothing short of extraordinary. Across 13 innings, he has amassed 486 runs, maintaining an impressive average of over 44. However, it is his strike rate—hovering near an explosive 197—that has truly separated him from the rest of the pack. His defining moment came in Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala, where he unleashed a record-breaking, unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls. Striking at a breathtaking 281.81, he propelled RCB to a historic total of 254/5, the highest in IPL playoff history.

Sehwag’s High Praise

Virender Sehwag, known for his keen eye for batting talent, was left thoroughly impressed by Patidar’s tactical maturity. The former Indian opener noted that Patidar does not simply swing his bat; he constructs his innings with calculated aggression. During a discussion on Cricbuzz, Sehwag remarked: “When he had come into bat, two wickets had fallen in the same over. 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.”

Selection Headaches for the National Selectors

The sentiment is shared by others within the cricketing fraternity. Former Indian pacer Mohit Sharma, who faced the brunt of RCB’s lineup while playing for the Gujarat Titans, acknowledged that Patidar is posing a significant challenge to the national selectors. With India scheduled for upcoming T20I series against Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe, the depth of talent currently available makes team selection a complex puzzle. Mohit highlighted the difficulty in carving out space in a talent-rich squad, yet admitted that Patidar’s current form makes it impossible to ignore his case.

The Road to the Final

While the focus remains on individual accolades, RCB’s primary goal is clear: retaining the IPL trophy. Having secured their spot in the final on May 31, the team now finds itself in a position of strength. Sehwag, however, offered a word of caution against complacency. He highlighted the strategic advantage RCB currently holds, noting that the team can utilize the lead-up time to acclimatize to the conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. “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.”

Conclusion

As the curtains prepare to rise on the grand finale in Ahmedabad, all eyes will be on Rajat Patidar. Whether he leads RCB to back-to-back titles or not, his performance this season has solidified his status as one of India’s most exciting white-ball prospects. If Sehwag’s prediction holds true, it will not be long before we see Patidar donning the Blue jersey on the international stage.