Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra believes Rajat PatidarA return to India’s T20I team will have to wait, arguing that the current batting line-up leaves little space for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain despite his impressive performances.Patidar was not included in India’s 16-man squad for the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. His absence has led to controversy, especially as India implements a left-wing system.In a video on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra’, the former opener was asked whether Patidars should be in India’s T20I team. Chopra responded by saying that the big question is figuring out who to beat.“That is a very good question, but to find the answer to that question, we will have to dig deep and see who will emerge. You have kept the leftists in the top three at this point. You will not see Rajat Patidar in any place because you have Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Abhishek Sharmaand Ishan Kishan,” Chopra replied.“There is no chance of him replacing any of the three. Ishan Kishan is at No. 3. If you have the power to remove Ishan Kishan, remove him. He has become the No. 1 T20I batsman right now. It already looks like we are not doing well with Sanju,” he added.Chopra’s statement comes after Sanju Samson, who was part of India’s 2026 T20 World Cup-winning squad and finished as Player of the Tournament, was left out of the playing XI for the second T20I against England. Samson featured in the opening game but made way for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the top of the order after a few runs.The former Indian cricketer then reviewed the middle order, saying that Shreyas Iyer is the vice-captain. Tilak Varma it was unlikely that they would lose their place. He said that this would only leave Shivam Dube’s position as an opening for Patidars.“Shreyas Iyer comes at number 4, and the vice-captain, Tilak Varma, comes at number 5. Shivam Dube comes at number 6. If you don’t move the captain and vice-captain, which you shouldn’t, would you like to play Rajat Patidar instead of Shivam Dube?” he said in the same video.Although Chopra agreed that the Patidars should have some opportunity in the world, he feels that the time is not right as this integration is difficult to break.“I think the time will come. Rajat Patidar will play for India again. He has already played Test cricket. It’s just a little while, but when is that time? It will only come if you make someone sit out. Who will you make? The question has to be answered first. I don’t think there is any chance of his name coming up immediately,” Chopra observed.Patidar has represented India in three Test matches and one ODI so far. In both domestic and franchise T20 cricket, he made an impressive record, scoring 3,389 runs in 106 innings at a rate of 160.08, strengthening his case for another chance at India’s shortest setup.
