Irfan Pathan Advocates for Rajat Patidar's Inclusion in India's T20 Squad

Irfan Pathan has urged the inclusion of Rajat Patidar in India's T20 squad for the England series, highlighting his impressive IPL performance. With India struggling to secure a win under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, Pathan believes Patidar's addition could provide the necessary boost. As the team faces a must-win situation, the call for Patidar's selection emphasizes the need for diversity in the batting lineup. Read on to discover more about the team's challenges and Pathan's insights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 11:12 IST

Pathan Urges Selection of Patidar

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed his support for including Rajat Patidar in the Indian squad for the upcoming series against England. Following a disappointing start to the series, where India lost by four wickets after the first T20I was abandoned due to rain, Pathan believes Patidar's addition could enhance the team's batting lineup. The recent match saw the debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, increasing the number of left-handed batsmen in the squad to seven.

Patidar had a stellar performance in IPL 2026, amassing 501 runs in 14 innings with an impressive strike rate of 192.69, leading RCB to their second consecutive title. Despite his strong credentials, including three Test matches and one ODI for India, he has yet to secure a spot in the T20I team due to fierce competition. His T20 record stands at 3389 runs in 106 innings with a strike rate of 160.08. Pathan remarked on X, “Given the current composition of left-handed batsmen in the Indian T20 squad, it’s crucial for the team to consider Rajat Patidar moving forward. I sincerely hope he gets a chance, especially with ample time for experimentation before the next T20 World Cup.”

India Aiming for First Victory Under Iyer's Captaincy

Shreyas Iyer has taken over the captaincy after the BCCI dismissed Suryakumar Yadav prior to the UK tour. However, the team is still in search of its first win under Iyer's leadership. The tour commenced with a two-match series against Ireland, where India faced a surprising clean sweep by the hosts. The beginning of the England tour has not been promising either, placing India in a must-win scenario for all three matches to keep their hopes alive.