Rajat Patidar’s remarkable rise in Indian cricket has now sparked conversations around a potential leadership role at the international level. Former India selector Saba Karim believes the Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper has done enough to emerge as a serious contender for India’s T20I captaincy.
Patidar’s name has gained traction in recent weeks after leading RCB to back-to-back IPL titles, a feat achieved by only two captains before him – MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. While the 33-year-old is yet to make his T20I debut for India, his leadership credentials have impressed several experts and former players.
Speaking to PTI, Karim said Patidar deserves to be in the conversation alongside some of India’s established white-ball names.
“I would like to add Rajat Patidar’s name as a contender for captaincy. Winning back-to-back IPL titles is a very tough assignment and he has done that in a very calm and a very assured manner,” Karim said.
“He has had to lead a team of individuals and foreign players who have been star players for their national sides. To lead such a team which has so many legends and a mix of experience is a very difficult assignment and he has accomplished that.”
Patidar’s reputation has soared after yet another impressive IPL season. The RCB skipper not only guided his side to back-to-back titles but also amassed 501 runs at a blistering strike rate of 192.69, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most feared middle-order hitters.
Interestingly, Patidar himself played down both selection talks and captaincy ambitions ahead of the IPL final.
“I’m not looking forward to any selection regarding India. So, I’m not looking forward to it,” Patidar had said.
On the prospect of captaining India, he added: “I don’t visualise being the T20 captain of India. But at the same time, every captain wants to win trophies.”
WHO ALL ARE IN INDIA’S T20I CAPTAINCY RACE?
Patidar is far from the only name being considered as India prepare for a possible leadership transition in T20Is.
The debate intensified after Suryakumar Yadav endured a difficult IPL 2026 campaign. Despite leading India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, his prolonged dip in form has reportedly prompted the selectors to move in a different direction for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.
Karim believes several players remain in contention.
“I think Shreyas Iyer would be one of those candidates. I have Sanju Samson, (and) in fact, Ishan Kishan (too). I think there will be two or three strong contenders to take over the captaincy,” he said.
Shreyas Iyer is currently viewed as one of the leading contenders after another impressive IPL season. However, reports suggest India head coach Gautam Gambhir is not entirely convinced about his candidature despite the pair working together during Kolkata Knight Riders’ title-winning campaign in 2024.
PTI has reported that Gambhir’s preferred choice is Sanju Samson, who impressed during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign. However, selectors reportedly remain unconvinced about the long-term consistency of both Samson and Ishan Kishan.
Tilak Varma has also emerged as a dark horse in the race, with the BCCI believed to be searching for a captain capable of leading India through the next two T20 World Cup cycles.
A decision on India’s new T20I captain is expected before the two-match T20I series against Ireland on June 26.
– Ends
