‘Where is Rajat Patidar?’ – Former India batsman questions selectors about Zimbabwe’s T20I squad | Cricket News
Former India batter Hanuma Vihari criticized the Indian team management for leaving Rajat Patidar from India’s T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series. Vihari believes Patidar deserves a place after his impressive performance and leadership at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while also questioning the overall balance of the squad.India, however, made a strong start to the series by beating Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the opening T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match contest. After restricting Zimbabwe to 125/7, India chased down the target in just 13.2 overs, thanks to a stunning half-century from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest player to score a fifty in men’s international cricket. His 18-ball fifty included four fours and four sixes. Earlier, Mayank Yadav (2/18) and Prince Yadav (2/19) starred with the ball, while India also named role-specific replacements for the first time, including Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur.
Vihari questioned the balance of the squad
Vihari said the selectors made some tough decisions, especially by leaving out Patidar despite the squad having more left-handed batsmen. He felt a right handed batter like Patidar or Sanju Samson would have given the team a better balance.“Rinku Singh has been brought back, but where is Rajat Patidar? He led RCB to titles in two seasons and has done well as a batsman too. He was also not considered. These are tough calls from the selectors. Patidar should have been given a chance, especially if you look at the team, everyone is left. Don’t think he will play as Ishan Kishan will be the first choice wicketkeeper,” Vihari said on his channel on YouTube.
Vihari also backed Kuldeep and Samson
Vihari also questioned the absence of a seasoned wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. He pointed out that Patidar scored 486 runs at a strike rate of 196.76 in IPL 2026 and felt that performances should be more than age while selecting the squad.“It is a serious case why Kuldeep Yadav was not included. He is a wrist-spinner with experience. Why did you not play him? Also, if you did not want Sanju Samson for the Zimbabwe series, you sent Prabhsimran. Good. But you did not consider giving an opportunity to Rajat Patidar. asked Vihari.“If you have got so many players performing in the IPL, then why not Patidars? You have filled the team with left-handers. There is no right-hander except Shreyas,” he added.
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