Rajat Patidar emerges as Shreyas Iyer's competitor [Source: AFP]Rajat Patidar enjoyed stellar success in the IPL 2026 qualifier 1, as his whirlwind knock powered RCB to the final of the competition. Patidar's flamboyant stroke-play not only helped RCB qualify for the mega clash but also presented a strong case for his inclusion in India's T20I squad. Led by Patidar, the Royal Challengers faced Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans in the first playoff match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Batting first, RCB posted a mammoth total of 254 runs, with Patidar scoring 93 off just 33 deliveries. Rajat Patidar has had yet another impactful stint for the Royal Challengers. In IPL 2026, the swashbuckling batter has hammered 486 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44.18 and a strike rate of 196.76. His ability to hit a long ball against pace and spin has made Patidar one of the strongest contenders to storm into India's T20I lineup. As the defending champions begin preparations for the 2028 T20 World Cup as well as the Los Angeles Olympics, here are three players whom they can drop to make room for Rajat Patidar in the T20I scheme of things. 3 players who could be dropped if Rajat Patidar gets into India's T20I squadTilak VarmaCriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableTilak VarmaSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRajat PatidarSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRuns in 7-16 oversSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2269SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table1538SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSR in 7-16 oversSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table138.94SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table176.4SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRuns vs spinSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table1460SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table905SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSR vs spinSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table135.43SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table176.4SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRajat Patidar is a designated spin-hitter and can smash the hard-length deliveries at will. Statistically, the RCB captain has struck 362 runs against fast bowling at an average of 60.3 and a strike rate of 192.6 in IPL 2026. Meanwhile, he has taken the spin-hitting to a whole new level, scoring 670 runs, averaging 41.9 and striking at 175.4 against all types of spin bowling in the IPL. Patidar's remarkable batting prowess against pace and spin makes him a potent weapon in the middle overs, challenging the spot of Tilak Varma in the India T20I squad. While Patidar strikes at an incredible rate of 176.4 in the middle overs in T20 cricket, Tilak Varma's strike rate reads 138.94 in the same phase. The stylish left-handed batter has definitely been consistent, but his strike rate of 119.3 since 2025 suggests his underwhelming returns in the middle overs in T20Is. Therefore, if Rajat Patidar enters the Indian T20I squad, Tilak could make room for him, with India aiming to revamp their middle-overs batting ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup. Also Read: Rajat Patidar Angry At RCB Management, Reason Behind Brutal Hitting OutSuryakumar YadavSuryakumar Yadav is among the high-profile names who could be dropped from the Indian T20 team due to his inconsistent form. Regarded as India's Mr 360, Surya has averaged just 26 with the bat in T20Is since 2025. Given that Suryakumar Yadav is on the wrong side of 30 and has struggled with form and fitness concerns of late, the BCCI selection committee is reportedly mulling over appointing a new captain for India's upcoming T20I assignments. As Surya bats at number four, Rajat Patidar has emerged as a hot candidate to replace him in the Indian lineup. Patidar plays at number four, a position that is best suited for him and allows him to capitalise on the middle overs. Shreyas IyerAmid Suryakumar Yadav's dwindling form, Shreyas Iyer has become one of the frontrunners to replace him as the Indian T20I captain. However, Rajat Patidar has outclassed Iyer as far as batsmanship and captaincy are concerned. While Patidar led RCB to their second consecutive IPL final, Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings lost six successive games and suffered a group-stage exit from a favourable position. Furthermore, Patidar's excellence as a smasher of the hard-length bowling makes him an upgrade over Iyer, who has historically struggled against raw pace. Thus, Shreyas Iyer might fall down in the pecking order if Rajat Patidar elevates his stature through incredible returns for the Royal Challengers. Also Read: IRE vs NZ Prediction, Only Test- New Zealand Tour of Ireland, 2026, Who Will Win Today?
