Rajat Patidar set to earn India selection call, claims Virender Sehwag – Rajat Patidar Set for India Call-Up After IPL 2026 Heroics, Predicts Sehwag
The Rise of a New T20 Superstar
In the high-stakes world of the Indian Premier League, few players manage to capture the imagination of fans and experts quite like Rajat Patidar has in 2026. As the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Patidar has transformed into a beacon of aggression and technical brilliance. With the tournament reaching its climax, legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag has made a bold prediction: Patidar is knocking on the doors of the Indian national team, and his entry seems inevitable.
A Season of Records and Resilience
Patidar’s numbers in IPL 2026 speak for themselves. Across 13 innings, the right-handed batter has amassed 486 runs, maintaining an impressive average of over 44. However, it is his strike rate—nearly 197—that has truly set him apart from his peers. This was never more evident than in the Qualifier 1 match against the Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala.
Facing immense pressure, Patidar played a record-breaking, unbeaten knock of 93 runs off just 33 balls. With a staggering strike rate of 281.81, he dismantled the Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack, helping RCB reach a mammoth total of 254/5—the highest score in IPL playoff history. His ability to hit boundaries in every direction while remaining calculated proved that he possesses the maturity required for international cricket.
Virender Sehwag’s Expert Endorsement
Virender Sehwag, known for his own swashbuckling style, was deeply impressed by the way Patidar navigated the match. Speaking on Cricbuzz, the former opener highlighted how Patidar managed to stabilize the innings after two early wickets fell in the same over.
“When he had come into bat, two wickets had fallen. From there, he handled the situation, structured his innings, and then completely wreaked havoc in the end,” Sehwag explained. “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.”
The Road to the Indian Team
The sentiment is shared by others within the cricket fraternity. Former Indian pacer Mohit Sharma, who competed against Patidar this season, noted that the batter is giving national selectors a significant challenge. With India scheduled for upcoming T20I series against Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe, the timing for Patidar’s emergence could not be better.
Mohit Sharma acknowledged the dilemma, stating, “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?”
Preparing for the Ultimate Clash
While the prospect of an international call-up looms, Patidar remains focused on the immediate task: the IPL 2026 final. RCB has successfully punched their ticket to the title match, and they are now awaiting the winner of the Eliminator between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Rajasthan Royals.
Sehwag has issued a cautionary note to the team, warning against complacency. He believes RCB has a distinct advantage with their extra preparation time before the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31. “They can’t afford to relax just because they are in the final. They will have to prepare for it. It is their benefit that they will be able to practice there for two days. The other team will not get a chance to practice there because they will have to travel. Also, RCB has played at that ground so many times, and have won the title there also.”
As the cricket world watches, all eyes will be on Rajat Patidar. Whether he leads his side to glory in Ahmedabad or focuses on a future in the blue jersey of India, one thing is certain: his trajectory is firmly on the rise.
