The cricketing world is abuzz with speculation surrounding Rajat Patidar, the dynamic captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), whose exceptional form in the ongoing IPL 2026 has drawn high praise from none other than legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Sehwag has made a definitive prediction, suggesting that Patidar is on the cusp of earning a coveted spot in the Indian national squad.
Rajat Patidar’s Dominance in IPL 2026
Rajat Patidar has been a revelation this season, leading the defending champions from the front with a display of consistent scoring and explosive hitting. Across 13 innings in IPL 2026, Patidar has accumulated an impressive 486 runs, maintaining an outstanding average of over 44 and a blistering strike rate nearing 197. These statistics alone highlight his pivotal role in RCB’s campaign and his remarkable ability to score rapidly under pressure.
His most memorable performance came in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, where Patidar unleashed a record-breaking, unbeaten knock of 93 runs off just 33 balls. This astonishing innings, played at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 281.81, single-handedly propelled RCB to the highest-ever total in IPL playoff history, posting a formidable 254/5. This explosive display of batting firepower left spectators and experts in awe, cementing his reputation as a big-match player.
Patidar’s blazing innings in Dharamshala on May 26 proved decisive, storming RCB into the IPL 2026 final as Gujarat Titans faltered, managing only 162 in their chase of the mammoth target. Such a performance, under immense pressure in a crucial playoff encounter, speaks volumes about his temperament and skill.
Sehwag’s Endorsement: An India Call-Up Beckons
Witnessing Patidar’s explosive batting and match-winning capabilities, Virender Sehwag firmly believes that the RCB skipper is now exceptionally close to securing a place in India’s T20I team. Sehwag, known for his keen eye for talent and aggressive batting philosophy, was particularly impressed by Patidar’s ability to handle high-stakes situations and completely alter the complexion of a game with his aggressive approach.
“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,” Sehwag articulated on Cricbuzz, emphasizing Patidar’s composure and strategic hitting.
The former India opener lauded Patidar for the calmness he exhibited even after early wickets tumbled. Sehwag felt that the RCB captain perfectly assessed the match situation and then chose the opportune moments to launch his relentless attack, targeting Gujarat Titans bowlers across all corners of the ground. He further added that Patidar’s astute shot selection and unwavering confidence under pressure make him undoubtedly ready for the rigours of T20I cricket.
Mohit Sharma Echoes the Sentiment
Adding weight to Sehwag’s prediction, former Indian pacer Mohit Sharma, who was part of the Gujarat Titans in IPL, also believes that Patidar is presenting a compelling case for national selection. Sharma highlighted the challenges Patidar’s form poses for the selectors, especially with the Men in Blue scheduled to play upcoming T20I series against Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe in the coming months.
During the same discussion, Mohit Sharma remarked, “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?” This underscores the dilemma Patidar’s exceptional performance creates, forcing selectors to consider how to integrate such a talent into an already competitive squad.
The consistent brilliance shown by Patidar has undeniably given the national selectors significant
