![Rajat Patidar with Virat Kohli [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1779872973783_Rajat_Patidar.jpg?type=hq)
Rajat Patidar with Virat Kohli [Source: AFP]
RCB captain Rajat Patidar stormed his side into the IPL 2026 final. Leading the defending champions in Qualifier 1 of the tournament in Dharamsala, the cricketer blasted 93* runs off just 33 balls against the Gujarat Titans with five cracking boundaries and nine scorching sixes.
Fittingly adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ of the qualifier, the innings marked his fifth half-century of IPL 2026, as the belligerent middle-order batter inched closer to the 500-run mark this season.
Following his latest heroics with the bat, Rajat Patidar’s inclusion in Team India squad has now been jokingly demanded by his RCB teammate and England international, Phil Salt.
Phil Salt wants Patidar in Team India
England international Phil Salt has jokingly demanded the inclusion of his RCB captain Rajat Patidar in Team India squad.
While filming a video for the RCB franchise at the team hotel, the cricketer smilingly said “Rajat Patidar Team India play button.”
Watch the video below:
A season to remember for Patidar
Rajat Patidar has racked up 486 runs in 13 innings this IPL 2026 season at a prolific average of 44.18. The cricketer is also holding an astonishing batting strike rate of 196.76, which is the third highest among all players this season with over 400 runs to their names, only falling behind Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and SRH’s Abhishek Sharma.
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His enterprising 93* off 33 balls in the first qualifier catapulted the RCB to a monumental 254-5 in 20 overs. The blistering middle-order batter also shattered a slew of records in the process, with RCB winning the match by 92 runs to qualify for the IPL 2026 final.
The occasion also marked RCB’s second successive appearance in an IPL final, after having won the 2025 edition of the tournament last year under Patidar’s leadership.
When will Patidar make his Team India return
Rajat Patidar has only played a handful of international matches for Team India since his debut back in December 2023. The cricketer has so far played just one ODI, and three Test matches. His three Test appearances all occurred during a single home series against England in February 2024.
Much to everyone’s surprise, he is yet to make his Team India debut in T20I cricket, a format in which he seemingly thrives the most.
Currently out of contention of Team India line-up, Patidar’s rising stocks might well prompt the BCCI men’s selection committee to reconsider the prolific middle-order batter for his national return.
RCB reaches second successive IPL final
The RCB franchise has now reached its second successive IPL final after flogging Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
Under the leadership of Patidar, the team will take on either Gujarat Titans or the winner of the Rajasthan Royals vs SRH Eliminator. The final will be hosted by the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad later this weekend.
The much-awaited title clash will be played on Sunday, May 31 and the action will commence from 7:30 PM IST onwards. If RCB wins the impending final, the franchise will become only the third team in IPL history to successfully defend its title, joining CSK and Mumbai Indians.
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