Rajat Patidar's snub deemed 'unfair' as Harbhajan says he's 'sad' for Suryakumar Yadav too after T20I captaincy change

Harbhajan Singh was among the first to question Rajat Patidar's omission from the T20I squads, arguing that the batter had done enough to earn a place.

Updated on: Jun 6, 2026, 20:02:59 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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The selection committee sprang a few surprises while naming India's T20I squads for the Ireland and England tours, as well as the Asian Games. Suryakumar Yadav, who captained India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, was removed from the leadership role, with Shreyas Iyer handed the captaincy despite not being part of the World Cup-winning squad. The selectors also fast-tracked 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following his record-breaking IPL campaign, rewarding one of the season's standout performers with a maiden national call-up. However, there was no place yet again for Rajat Patidar, despite the batter leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to successive IPL titles. The contrasting decisions sparked plenty of discussion, with several notable performers finding themselves on opposite sides of the selection debate.

Harbhajan questions selectors over 'unfair' Rajat Patidar call, admits being 'sad' for Suryakumar Yadav. (BCCI)

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh was among the first to question Patidar's omission from the T20I squads, arguing that the batter had done enough to earn a place after another outstanding IPL season. Harbhajan expressed his disappointment on social media, highlighting Patidar's run-scoring consistency, strike rate and impact in the middle order during IPL, where he scored over 500 runs at a strike rate of 192.69, while calling the decision unfair.

"Sad no Rajat Patidar in the indian squad. What else he needs to do? Scored 501 runs strike rate almost 200. Unfair @rrjjt_01 Easily the best middle order in India . Proper striker with good technique," Harbhajan wrote on X.

Harbhajan also congratulated Shreyas on being handed the T20I captaincy but admitted he felt for Suryakumar, whose removal as skipper came as one of the biggest talking points of the squad announcement.

"Congratulations @ShreyasIyer15 for the future. Sad for bhau @surya_14kumar," he also wrote on X.

Turning his attention to Sooryavanshi, Harbhajan hailed the youngster's historic achievement after the 15-year-old became the youngest player ever selected for India. The former spinner praised Sooryavanshi's talent and determination, while wishing him success as he embarks on his international journey.

"Congratulations to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on creating history as the youngest cricketer ever selected for Team India. At such a young age, he has shown extraordinary promise and determination. May this milestone be the beginning of a long and illustrious career in Indian cricket. Best wishes for the journey ahead," he posted.

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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