Rajat Patidar set to earn India selection call, claims Virender Sehwag – Rajat Patidar Poised for India Call-Up After IPL 2026 Heroics: Sehwag
The Rise of Rajat Patidar
In the high-stakes environment of the IPL 2026, few players have managed to captivate the cricketing world as effectively as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar. With the defending champions firing on all cylinders, Patidar has emerged not just as a reliable middle-order batter, but as a destructive force capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of deliveries. His recent performance in the Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala has solidified his reputation, prompting legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag to declare that a call-up to the Indian T20I squad is imminent.
A Record-Breaking Display
Patidar’s form throughout the 2026 season has been nothing short of spectacular. Across 13 innings, he has accumulated 486 runs, maintaining an impressive average of over 44. However, it is his blistering strike rate of nearly 197 that has caught the attention of selectors and pundits alike. His knock of 93 runs off just 33 balls during the Qualifier 1 was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring a strike rate of 281.81. This performance paved the way for RCB to post a staggering 254/5, the highest-ever total in the history of IPL playoff cricket.
As the Gujarat Titans faltered while chasing the mammoth target, ending their innings at 162, the match served as a testament to Patidar’s leadership and his ability to thrive under intense pressure.
Sehwag Backs the RCB Skipper
Virender Sehwag, known for his keen eye for talent, was particularly impressed by the maturity Patidar displayed after RCB lost early wickets. According to Sehwag, it is the captain’s ability to structure an innings—balancing caution with calculated aggression—that makes him a perfect fit for the international stage.
“When he came in to bat, two wickets had fallen in the same over. He handled the situation, structured his innings, and then completely wreaked havoc in the end,” Sehwag noted during a discussion on Cricbuzz. “He knows what his strengths are; he waits for the ball. I am saying that the Indian team is not far away at all for him.”
The Road Ahead
The sentiment is echoed by former Indian pacer Mohit Sharma, who acknowledged that Patidar is creating significant “headaches” for the national selectors. With India scheduled to face Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe in upcoming T20I series, the timing of Patidar’s peak form could not be better. The primary question remains how the selectors will carve out space for him, but his current form makes him impossible to ignore.
While the excitement regarding his potential India selection is palpable, Sehwag also issued a word of caution to the RCB camp. Despite having secured a spot in the final, the legendary opener emphasized that the team must avoid complacency. He highlighted the strategic advantage RCB now possesses: having two extra days to prepare for the conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the final will be contested on May 31.
Preparing for the Final
“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 two 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.”
As RCB prepares to face the winner of the clash between the Gujarat Titans and the team emerging from the Eliminator—either Sunrisers Hyderabad or Rajasthan Royals—all eyes will remain on the man of the hour, Rajat Patidar. Whether he lifts the IPL trophy or dons the national jersey in the coming months, one thing is certain: his trajectory in Indian cricket is firmly on the rise.
