Rajat Patidar Not in Asia Cup Squad: Injury and Oversupply Issues
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squad for the Asia Cup 2025, and a notable omission has been that of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) captain, Rajat Patidar. Despite a historic run in the IPL 2025 season where he led RCB to their maiden title, Patidar's name was missing from the 15-member squad and even the standby list. This decision, while surprising to many fans, is rooted in a combination of fitness concerns and the intense competition for a middle-order spot in the Indian T20 side.
The Impact of Injury Concerns
The primary reason behind Rajat Patidar's absence from the Asia Cup squad is his recent injury setback. Sources indicate that Patidar has been grappling with a hand and heel injury he sustained during the latter half of the IPL 2025 season. This injury reportedly hampered his performance in the final stages of the tournament and has since required him to undergo rehabilitation.
Although Patidar has recently made a comeback to competitive cricket, leading the Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025, it appears the national selectors have adopted a cautious approach. The BCCI and team management are likely prioritizing his full recovery for the longer term, especially with a busy home season against West Indies and South Africa, and the ICC Champions Trophy 2026 on the horizon. His current participation in the Duleep Trophy, where he is also leading the side in the absence of Dhruv Jurel, is a sign that he is on the road to recovery, but the selectors may not have felt he was at 100% fitness for a high-pressure tournament like the Asia Cup.
This cautious approach is understandable given Patidar's history with injuries; he missed a significant part of the IPL 2023 season due to an Achilles heel injury. The selectors' decision reflects a strategy to manage the workload of key players and ensure they are fully fit for major tournaments, rather than risking a recurrence of the injury.
A Stacked Middle Order and Fierce Competition
Even if Patidar had been fully fit, securing a spot in India's T20 middle order would have been a significant challenge. The Indian team management has shown a clear preference for certain players, and the competition is incredibly fierce. The Asia Cup squad features a number of players who have consistently performed well in the T20 format, both in the IPL and for the national team.
The middle-order slots are already filled by a core group of players including Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh. Each of these players brings a unique skill set to the team.
- Suryakumar Yadav is a T20 specialist and the team's captain. His ability to score all around the wicket makes him an indispensable part of the lineup.
- Tilak Varma has been in phenomenal form in international T20s, and his consistent performances have solidified his place.
- Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube provide a potent combination of power-hitting and medium-pace bowling, offering crucial balance to the side.
- Rinku Singh is now a proven finisher and his ability to score quick runs at the death is a valuable asset.
The selectors have also included Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma as wicketkeeper-batter options, with Jitesh's inclusion rewarding his performance in IPL 2025. This means there is an oversupply of talented, in-form middle-order batsmen and finishers.
Rajat Patidar, despite his impressive performances in the IPL, including an excellent run as the RCB captain, has had a mixed record in his limited international appearances. His domestic record is strong, but the selectors' choice reflects a strategy to reward consistent performers at the highest level of the T20 game. The omission of other in-form players like Shreyas Iyer, who also had an excellent IPL 2025 season, further highlights the difficult choices facing the selection committee.
The Road Ahead for Rajat Patidar
While the Asia Cup snub is a setback for Rajat Patidar, it is not the end of his international ambitions. His selection as the captain of RCB and his leadership in the Duleep Trophy show that he is highly regarded in the domestic circuit. His century in the Duleep Trophy is a testament to his current form and fitness.
The upcoming domestic season will be crucial for him to not only prove his fitness but also to continue his rich vein of form. A strong showing in the Duleep Trophy and the subsequent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy could put him back in contention for a spot in the Indian team, particularly with the home T20I series against West Indies and South Africa scheduled for later this year. The competition is tough, but with his proven ability to perform under pressure, Rajat Patidar will undoubtedly be a player to watch as he strives to make a comeback to the national side
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