Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has thrown his weight behind Rajat Patidar, arguing the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain deserves a place in India's T20I side. Pathan's endorsement comes on the heels of RCB's back-to-back IPL titles, a feat that has placed Patidar's leadership under the national spotlight.
Patidar's achievements are defined by the hardware — two IPL trophies in two seasons at the helm. While Pathan did not cite specific batting statistics, the captain's ability to steer a franchise to a repeat championship is a rare commodity in the league's high-pressure environment. The 30-year-old has also been a consistent run-scorer for RCB, though his overall T20 numbers at the international level remain unproven.
The Indian T20I squad is currently rich with middle-order options, including Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh. Patidar's path to the XI would likely require displacing an established player or capitalizing on injury. Pathan's call, however, suggests that selectors may reward consistent franchise leadership with national opportunities, especially as India looks to build depth for future ICC tournaments.
No upcoming T20I series has been officially announced, but the BCCI typically schedules bilateral engagements during IPL off-seasons. Patidar's IPL success could also influence his chances in the longer formats, where his first-class record offers additional credentials.
"Hope he gets the opportunity," Pathan told reporters, emphasizing that form and leadership should be the criteria for selection in a competitive team environment.