Rajat Patidar set to earn India selection call, claims Virender Sehwag – Rajat Patidar Set for India T20I Call-Up, Says Virender Sehwag

The Dharamshala Carnage: Patidar’s Record-Breaking Knock

The ongoing IPL 2026 has witnessed some extraordinary individual performances, but none have been as impactful as Rajat Patidar’s heroic campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The RCB captain has been leading the defending champions from the front with absolute authority. His sensational form has not only put RCB on the cusp of defending their title but has also caught the attention of the national cricketing fraternity. Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag has made a bold prediction, claiming that Patidar is on the verge of earning his maiden T20I call-up for India.

Patidar’s statistics in IPL 2026 speak volumes about his consistency and destructiveness at the crease. Across 13 innings, the RCB skipper has amassed 486 runs at an incredible average of over 44, maintaining a blistering strike rate of nearly 197. His defining moment of the season came during the high-stakes Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala on May 26.

Walking into a high-pressure situation, Patidar played a record-breaking knock of an unbeaten 93 off just 33 deliveries. Batting at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 281.81, the captain single-handedly guided RCB to a mammoth total of 254/5, marking the highest-ever team score in IPL playoff history. This blazing knock completely deflated the Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack and ultimately secured a comfortable victory, as the Titans slipped to 162 in their chase, sending RCB marching straight into the IPL 2026 final.

Virender Sehwag’s Verdict: “Indian Team Is Not Far Away”

Patidar’s explosive batting display in Dharamshala left Virender Sehwag highly impressed. Speaking on Cricbuzz, the former destructive India opener highlighted how Patidar handled a critical situation with immense maturity. RCB had lost two quick wickets in a single over, threatening to derail their innings. However, Patidar remained unfazed, showing exemplary calmness before launching a calculated assault.

Sehwag noted: “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 praised the tactical sharpness and confidence shown by the RCB captain, emphasizing that Patidar knows exactly when to anchor and when to launch an all-out attack. Given his impeccable shot selection and temperament under immense playoff pressure, Sehwag believes Patidar is fully prepared for the rigors of international T20I cricket.

Mohit Sharma Echoes Selection Buzz

It wasn’t just Sehwag who was left impressed by Patidar’s masterclass. Former Indian pacer Mohit Sharma, who represented the Gujarat Titans in the match, agreed that Patidar is making an undeniable case for national selection.

With India scheduled to play a series of T20Is against Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe in the coming months, Patidar’s red-hot form will certainly give the national selectors a pleasant headache. Speaking during the same discussion, Mohit Sharma said: “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?”

The Road to the IPL 2026 Final: Sehwag’s Crucial Warning

While the buzz around Patidar’s international future grows, his immediate focus remains on securing the IPL 2026 silverware. Having booked their place in the final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB now awaits the winner of Qualifier 2.

Gujarat Titans, despite their heavy loss in Qualifier 1, have another shot at reaching the final. They will face the winner of the Eliminator match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), scheduled for May 27.

Despite RCB’s dominant run, Sehwag issued a stern warning to the defending champions against falling into the trap of complacency. He urged RCB to use their extra preparation time wisely rather than becoming overconfident. Because RCB qualified directly for the final, they enjoy a significant logistical advantage.

Sehwag explained: “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 2 days. The other team that will qualify for the final will not even get a chance to practice there, because they will have to travel on their break day. Also, RCB have played at that ground so many times, and have won the title there also.”