Rajat Patidar’s India Debut Openly Demanded By RCB Teammate – Rajat Patidar India Call-Up Demanded by RCB Teammate Phil Salt
Rajat Patidar Destroys Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar put on an absolute masterclass in Dharamsala during Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026, storming his franchise into yet another tournament final. Leading the defending champions from the front, Patidar blasted a magnificent 93* runs off just 33 deliveries against a formidable Gujarat Titans bowling attack. His explosive innings was punctuated by five cracking boundaries and nine scorching sixes, leaving the opposition completely deflated.
Unsurprisingly, Patidar was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his jaw-dropping performance. The spectacular knock marked his fifth half-century of the IPL 2026 season, pushing the aggressive middle-order batsman agonizingly close to the prestigious 500-run milestone. His outstanding captain’s knock has not only set the tournament ablaze but has also reignited discussions about his position in the national setup.
Phil Salt Advocates for Patidar’s T20I India Debut
Following Patidar’s latest heroics on the pitch, his RCB teammate and England international, Phil Salt, made a light-hearted yet highly supportive demand for the skipper’s national selection. While filming an official behind-the-scenes video for the RCB franchise at the team hotel, the English opener smiled directly at the camera and made his feelings clear: “Rajat Patidar Team India play button.”
The cheeky comment quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans agreeing that Patidar has long deserved a consistent run in the national colors, especially in the shortest format of the game where his impact is undeniable.
A Record-Breaking IPL 2026 Campaign
Rajat Patidar has enjoyed a truly memorable IPL 2026 campaign. In 13 innings, the right-handed batsman has amassed 486 runs at an exceptional average of 44.18. What makes his run tally even more terrifying for opponents is his astonishing strike rate of 196.76. This places him third on the list of highest strike rates for players with over 400 runs this season, sitting just behind Rajasthan Royals’ young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s dynamic opener Abhishek Sharma.
Patidar’s enterprising 93* off 33 balls in the first qualifier catapulted RCB to a monumental total of 254-5 in their allotted 20 overs. Alongside rewriting several individual records, his leadership and batting brilliance allowed RCB to register a massive 92-run victory over the Titans, sealing their spot in the IPL 2026 final with authority.
This victory also marked RCB’s second successive appearance in an IPL final. Under Patidar’s astute leadership, RCB lifted their maiden title in the 2025 edition, and they now look poised to repeat the feat.
The International Conundrum: When Will India Call?
Despite his status as an IPL heavyweight and one of the most destructive middle-order batsmen in the country, Rajat Patidar has only had a brief taste of international cricket. Since making his debut back in December 2023, Patidar has represented Team India in just one One-Day International (ODI) and three Test matches. His three Test appearances all came during a single home series against England in February 2024.
Remarkably, Patidar is yet to make his debut for India in T20I cricket—a format that seems perfectly tailored to his aggressive, high-risk, high-reward batting style. With national selectors closely monitoring IPL performances for future transition phases, Patidar’s rising stocks and incredible consistency under pressure might force the BCCI men’s selection committee to reconsider him for a T20I call-up very soon.
RCB Stands on the Cusp of IPL History
With their emphatic 92-run victory over the Gujarat Titans at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, RCB has secured its path to the grand finale. Under the tactical guidance of Patidar, Bengaluru will now prepare to face either the Gujarat Titans (who get a second chance in Qualifier 2) or the winner of the highly anticipated Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Eliminator clash.
The final of IPL 2026 will be hosted at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 31, with the action scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM IST. Should RCB emerge victorious in the final, they will write their names in gold as only the third team in IPL history to successfully defend their crown, joining the elite company of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI).
Aarav Malhotra is a cricket features writer from Pune specializing in player biographies, IPL season stories, and emerging cricket talents. His content focuses on storytelling-driven sports journalism optimized for modern cricket audiences and search platforms.
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