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RCB Captain Rajat Patidar (Source: AFP)
The Indian team under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer has struggled in the T20I format. The team have recently lost against Ireland (2-0) and England. With these consecutive series defeats, the team management is under the radar of the BCCI.
After the UK Tour, all eyes will be on the Indian team when they tour Zimbabwe for a 3-match T20I series before shifting focus to the Asian Games 2026.
According to reports, the BCCI is expected to request permission from the Asian Games organisers to make changes to the already announced squad.
So, if BCCI plans to make any changes, one player who could benefit is RCB captain Rajat Patidar.
India's Asian Games Squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jasprit Bumrah.
Why Rajat Patidar Deserves A Place In India’s Asian Games 2026 Squad?
Rajat Patidar has been one of the most consistent performers in the shortest format of the game over the last two years.
After leading RCB to back-to-back IPL titles (IPL 2025 and 2026), he continued his excellent form, making 306 runs in eight innings during the MP T20 League 2026 at an average of 38.25 and an outstanding strike rate of 198.70.
Secondly, his numbers in the middle order also make a strong case for his selection in the T20I setup as well as the Asian Games.
Batting at No. 3 in the IPL, Patidar has scored 543 runs in 16 innings at an average of 36.20 and a strike rate of 152.10. At No. 4, he has made 1,044 runs in 33 innings at an average of 34.80 and an impressive strike rate of 173.71.
With India currently struggling in the middle order and looking to improve both their batting depth and stability, Patidar could be included in India’s T20I plan and must be given a chance in the Asian Games 2026.
Having said this, in this article, let's take a look at three players India can drop to make place for Rajat Patidar in the Asian Games 2026.
Also Read: Players Whom Shubman Gill Can Replace In India's Asian Games Squad 2026
3 Indian Players Whom Rajat Patidar Can Replace In The Asian Games 2026
Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma is the one player whose place could come under scrutiny in India’s squad for the Asian Games. The left-handed batter has struggled to make an impact during India's ongoing tour of UK.
Combining Ireland and England tours, Tilak Varma managed only 125 runs (6 innings) at an average of only 25.00 and at a below-par strike rate of 113.63. Another problem with Tilak Varma is that he failed to provide that stability and adapt in the middle order after the openers failed.
So, in that case, if India wants to tackle this major problem, they can bring in Rajat Patidar. His ability to bat at both No. 3 and No. 4 will give the team the flexibility it currently lacks.
Along with this, his strike rate above 150 at No.3 and nearly 174 at No.4 in the IPL clearly showcase his ability to dominate from the beginning.
Patidar's recent form, combined with his ability to attack spin as well as pace, makes him a much better option than Tilak.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is another player who could lose his place if the selectors decide to include Rajat Patidar in the Asian Games. Although Samson has been one of India's experienced T20 batters, his recent performances have been poor.
During the England series, Samson scored just one run in the opening T20I before losing his place for the next games. Earlier, against the Ireland tour, he managed only five runs across two innings.
Another important factor against Sanju Samson is the team's combination. Ishan Kishan is already expected to perform the wicketkeeping duties, which is clearly reducing the need for a second specialist wicketkeeper in the playing XI.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir To Be Replaced As India Head Coach For Zimbabwe Tour, Asian Games
In the opening slot, the Indian team management has shown faith in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi along with Abhishek Sharma. So, with the opening combination seemingly settled, Samson’s route into the playing XI as an opener also seems difficult.
So, to add that extra protection in the middle order, the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff can slot in Rajat Patidar in place of Sanju for the Asian Games.
If Patidar is included, it will increase India's middle order strength without impacting the team's overall balance.
Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar is another player whose place could be reviewed before the Asian Games 2026. In the Ireland series, Sundar scored just 9 runs in the one match he played. During the England series, the all-rounder scored only five runs in the 4th T20I that he played.
So, with this current form, there is a chance he might be excluded from the Asian Games squad, and in his place, India can give a chance to Rajat Patidar.
Another factor working in Patidar's favour is India’s current batting combination. The team's batting order is heavily dependent on left-handed batters. Captain Shreyas Iyer is the only regular right-handed batter in the top seven.
So if given a chance, Patidar (right-handed batter) would naturally break that pattern and force opponents to change their plans more frequently.
Another important point that needs attention is that even the team management seems to be in a dilemma with the current batting order.
To counter the left-right combination, Gautam Gambhir's management had sent Harshit Rana to bat above Shivam Dube in the 3rd T20I, a move that caused a lot of uproar in Indian cricket.
In the 4th T20I, Shivam Dube walked in to bat ahead of Tilak Varma, who is currently India's vice-captain in the format.
This is enough to depict the chaos the current Indian batting order is going through, and Rajat Patidar's inclusion could well be the medicine India is craving.
Also Read: From Kuldeep Yadav To Varun Chakaravarthy: India’s T20I Spin Resources Are Wearing Thin
