Rajat Patidar thrust into T20I captaincy debate alongside Shreyas Iyer as ex-BCCI selector leaves out Hardik Pandya

Backing Rajat Patidar as a potential candidate for India's T20I captaincy, Karim pointed to the RCB skipper's impressive leadership record in the IPL.

Published on: Jun 5, 2026, 06:14:52 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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The debate over India's T20I captaincy has gathered momentum in recent days amid growing reports that Suryakumar Yadav could be replaced as skipper. With the team potentially looking at a new leader in the shortest format, several contenders have emerged, although multiple reports suggest that Shreyas Iyer is currently the frontrunner for the role.

Saba Karim endorses Rajat Patidar's name for T20I captaincy. (AFP)

Amid the speculation, former BCCI chief selector Saba Karim has proposed another name for consideration - Rajat Patidar. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain enhanced his leadership credentials by guiding the franchise to a second consecutive IPL title, joining an elite group of captains that includes MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in achieving the feat. While Patidar is yet to make his T20I debut for India, his performances and leadership in the IPL have brought him into the conversation. The middle-order batter enjoyed an impressive season and displayed composure under pressure, earning praise for his tactical acumen and man-management skills. With India assessing long-term leadership options, Patidar's rapid rise has made him an intriguing candidate for a bigger role in the national setup.

Backing Patidar as a potential candidate for India's T20I captaincy, former Karim pointed to the RCB skipper's impressive leadership record in the IPL. Karim praised Patidar's calm demeanour and ability to manage a star-studded dressing room, arguing that his success in guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to consecutive titles reflects the qualities needed at the highest level.

"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 told PTI.

"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."

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Karim also weighed in on the broader captaincy race, naming several players he believes are firmly in contention should India decide to appoint a new T20I skipper. While acknowledging Iyer as one of the leading candidates, he also included Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan among the players capable of taking on the responsibility.

"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.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy under scanner

Karim said he does not think Hardik Pandya would be among the candidates the selectors would look at.

"I think the selectors have raised question marks about Hardik Pandya's leadership skills. Last season, although Mumbai Indians did qualify for the playoffs, there were some question marks raised about his style of leadership."

"(Even) on current form, I don't think he would justify his position as the captain of the Indian side," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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