Rajat Patidar is a strong contender for India’s T20I captaincy: Former India coach
Rajat Patidar’s remarkable rise in Indian cricket has now sparked talks of a potential leadership role at the international level. Former India selector Saba Karim believes the Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper has done enough to become a serious contender for India’s T20I captaincy.
Patidar’s name has come to the fore in recent weeks after he led RCB to back-to-back IPL titles, a feat achieved only by two captains before him – MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Although the 33-year-old is yet to make his T20I debut in India, his leadership has impressed several pundits and former players.
Speaking to PTI, Karim said Patidar deserves to be in the conversation alongside some of India’s established white names.
“I would like to add Rajat Patidar’s name as a contender for the captaincy. Winning back-to-back IPL titles is a very tough task and he has done it very calmly and confidently,” said Karim.
“He had to lead a team of individuals and foreign players who were stars of their national teams. To lead a team with so many legends and a mixture of experience is a very difficult task and he did it.”
Patidar’s reputation has soared after another impressive IPL season. Not only did the RCB skipper steer his team to back-to-back titles, he also amassed 501 runs at a blistering 192.69, further cementing his status as one of the most feared middle-order hitters in the league.
Interestingly, Patidar himself downplayed both the selection talks and captaincy ambitions ahead of the IPL final.
“I am not looking forward to any selection regarding India. So I am not looking forward to it,” Patidar said.
On the prospect of captaining India, he added: “I don’t see myself as the T20 captain in India. But at the same time, every captain wants to win trophies.”
WHO ALL ARE IN THE INDIA T20I CAPTAINSHIP?
Patidar is far from the only name being considered as India prepare for a possible T20I lead transition.
The debate intensified after Suryakumar Yadav endured a difficult IPL 2026 campaign. Despite leading India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, his long-term slump in form has reportedly prompted selectors to go the other way for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.
Karim believes several players remain in contention.
“I think Shreyas Iyer would be one of those candidates. I have Sanju Samson (and) actually Ishan Kishan (too). I think there will be two or three strong contenders to take over the captaincy,” he said.
Shreyas Iyer is currently considered as one of the leading contenders after another impressive IPL season. However, reports suggest that India head coach Gautam Gambhir is not entirely convinced of his candidacy despite the pair working together during Kolkata Knight Riders’ victorious campaign in 2024.
PTI reported that Gambhir’s preferred choice is Sanju Samson, who impressed during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign. However, the selectors reportedly remain unconvinced about the long-term consistency of Samson and Ishan Kishan.
Tilak Varma has also emerged as a dark horse in the race, with the BCCI believed to be looking for a captain capable of leading India in the next two cycles of the T20 World Cup.
A decision on India’s new T20I captain is expected ahead of the two-match T20I series against Ireland on June 26.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
04 Jun 2026 18:12 IST