Many players have emerged in Indian cricket thanks to the IPL. If we look at the last five years, the number has been remarkably high. Competition for a place in the national team across all three formats has become extremely intense. In such a scenario, performing well alone is not always enough—sometimes luck also plays a role. Many Indian cricketers have already experienced this reality, and it has once again become a topic of discussion.
The BCCI recently announced India's T20 squad for the upcoming series. Shreyas Iyer was handed the captaincy, and young sensation Vaibhav was also included in the team. While these decisions were largely welcomed, the real debate began elsewhere. Despite giving Iyer the captaincy, the selectors left out Rajat Patidar, who led RCB to back-to-back IPL titles.
Over the past two seasons, Patidar has been outstanding in the middle order and played a crucial role in helping RCB end their long wait for trophies by winning consecutive IPL titles. He has consistently delivered victories with a strike rate of over 190 in the middle overs. Yet, despite these impressive performances, the selectors once again overlooked him.
Recently Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that India currently has no shortage of talent. He explained that the selection committee discussed all deserving players during their meetings, but it is impossible to accommodate everyone. Only 15 players can be selected for a squad. He acknowledged that the decision may attract criticism and said the selectors must accept that. Agarkar also emphasized that missing out on selection now does not mean a player's journey is over, and opportunities could come in the future. He added that with competition at an all-time high, players must continue performing consistently.
As for Rajat Patidar, he enjoyed an exceptional IPL 2026 season with the bat. By the end of the tournament, he had scored over 500 runs at a strike rate of 190. His tally included 30 fours and 42 sixes. The fact that he hit more sixes than fours highlights the destructive nature of his batting. Patidar was particularly dominant in the middle overs, often turning matches in his team's favor with aggressive stroke play. His ability to handle spin bowling effectively also led many to believe that a place in the Indian team was almost guaranteed.
However, in a surprising move, the selectors left him out. Reports suggest that the presence of players such as Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube, who occupy similar roles in the batting lineup, may have worked against him. It remains to be seen whether the in-form Rajat Patidar will get an opportunity to represent India in the future.
