Why Irfan Pathan believes Rajat Patidar is the missing piece in India’s T20 puzzle

With the Indian T20 team struggling for tactical balance, calls are growing to draft the IPL-winning skipper into the national squad.

The optics of the recent T20 series against England were hard to ignore: in the second match, the Indian top-seven featured a staggering six left-handers, leaving captain Shreyas Iyer as the solitary right-handed anchor. This imbalance has caught the eye of former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who is now advocating for a swift inclusion of Rajat Patidar to restore variety to the batting lineup.

The primary source of this debate stems from an increasingly predictable team composition. While the number of left-hand batters in the current team provides certain tactical advantages, Pathan argues that the lack of right-handed depth is becoming a liability. As he noted in his public commentary, the management needs to move away from the current rigid structure and look at players who can effectively counter-attack in the middle overs.

Patidar’s credentials are hard to dispute. After leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to back-to-back IPL titles in 2026, he has proven his mettle as both a leader and a high-impact finisher. His recent IPL performance was nothing short of dominant: 501 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 192.69, bolstered by 42 sixes. For a side that has often been accused of being too top-heavy, a player with his ability to dismantle spin bowling in the middle order is a compelling proposition.

Why it matters

The broader implication here is the transition phase India faces ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup. With plenty of time to experiment, the selectors are expected to look beyond the current set of regulars. Pathan’s push for Patidar isn't just about one player; it highlights a strategic shift toward rewarding domestic consistency and "match-up" specialists. While whispers regarding Gautam गंभीर (Gautam Gambhir) and his influence on team selection often dominate headlines, the focus here remains strictly on the tactical necessity of rotating the strike and finding the right blend of handedness.

The bigger picture

For the team management, the challenge is balancing long-term vision with immediate results. Historically, Indian sides have occasionally struggled against disciplined bowling attacks that exploit a lopsided batting order. By integrating someone like Patidar, who has mastered the high-pressure environment of the IPL, the selectors would be signaling a move toward a more flexible, versatile unit.

Whether this transition happens during the upcoming tours remains to be seen. The original intent behind these public endorsements from former players is to nudge the selection committee toward addressing these structural flaws before they become permanent fixtures of the side’s identity. For now, all eyes are on the next squad announcement to see if the demand for "balance" is finally met with action.