Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar delivered a superb innings in the first Qualifier of IPL 2026 against Gujarat Titans (GT), helping his side secure a dominant 92-run win and book a place in their second consecutive IPL final. Patidar has enjoyed an excellent season overall, contributing strongly with both bat and leadership.
RCB finished the league stage at the top of the table, emerging as one of the most consistent teams of the tournament. His impressive captaincy and composed batting have led several experts to support his case for inclusion in India’s T20I squad.
Patidar made his international debut in 2023 in an ODI against South Africa, which remains his only appearance in the format. He has also featured in three Test matches since making his debut in 2024. The star batter is yet to feature in T20Is, and post IPL 2026, here are three key reasons why Rajat Patidar deserves consideration for the format.
#1 Middle-Order Strength and Aggressive Intent
Rajat Patidar has enjoyed a superb IPL 2026 season with the bat, scoring 486 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44.18 and a strike rate of 196.76, including five half-centuries. While other Indian batters have piled up more runs at similarly high strike rates, Patidar’s impact stands out due to his consistency at No. 4, operating outside the top three.
After the powerplay, he has done well in the middle order with an aggressive approach. Earlier known for playing spin well, the RCB captain now plays pace just as confidently and scores boundaries regularly. In line with India’s modern T20 approach, Patidar brings a fearless mindset and strong middle-order adaptability that fits the national setup.
#2 Composure in High-Pressure Matches
Since his brilliant century against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2022 Eliminator, Rajat Patidar has repeatedly shown he thrives under pressure and on big occasions. The RCB captain delivered once again in this season’s first Qualifier against GT, smashing an unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls to power a commanding win.
Patidar’s IPL playoff record is exceptional, with 338 runs in six innings at an average of 112.66 and a strike rate of 193.14, including a century and two fifties. His numbers are the best in IPL playoff history, highlighting his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. He has consistently proven his big-match temperament with standout performances when it matters most.
#3 Demonstrated Leadership Qualities
While Suryakumar Yadav currently leads India’s T20I side, Rajat Patidar is emerging as a strong option for the future, especially in the crucial No. 4 role. He guided RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2025 and also led Madhya Pradesh to the SMAT final in 2024, underlining his growing leadership credentials.
This season, he has once again taken RCB to the final, with the team winning 19 of 27 matches under his captaincy (70.37% win rate). Known for his calm approach and tactical clarity, Patidar has handled pressure and big names with maturity and is now close to joining an elite group of captains with back-to-back IPL titles.
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