Former Indian batsmen Hanuma Vihari has criticized the Indian team management for leaving Rajat Patidar from the Indian T20I team in the Zimbabwe series. Vihari believes that Patidar deserved a spot after his success and leadership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while also questioning the team’s stature.India, however, made a strong start to the series by defeating Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the opening T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. After restricting Zimbabwe to 125/7, India chased down the score in 13.2 overs, thanks to a half-century from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest player to score a fifty in men’s international cricket. His 18 balls included four fours and four sixes. Earlier, Mayank Yadav (2/18) and Prince Yadav (2/19) bowled, while India also named substitutes in other matches for the first time, including Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur.
Vihari questions the squad
Vihari said the selectors made difficult decisions, especially in leaving out the Patidars even though the team has several left-wing batsmen. He felt right-wing as a Patidar or Sanju Samson he would have given the team a better chance.“Rinku Singh has been brought back, but where is Rajat Patidar? He led RCB to titles in two seasons and he excelled as a batsman. He was not considered. These are hard calls from the selectors. Patidar should be given a chance, especially because if you look at the team, they are all left-handers. There are many left-handers, Patidar-handers, Samson should be there like Ibrasim, Yes, Yes, Prassim, Samson should be there. Don’t think he will play because Ishan Kishan will be the first choice wicketkeeper, Vihari said on his YouTube channel.
Vihari also supports Kuldeep and Samson
Vihari also questioned the omission of the experienced wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson. He said that the Patidars scored 486 runs at an average of 196.76 in IPL 2026 and felt that performance should be more important than age in selecting the team.“It’s a big issue why Kuldeep Yadav has not been included. He is an experienced all-rounder. Why didn’t you play him? Also, if you didn’t want Sanju Samson in the Zimbabwean list, you sent Prabhsimran. Good. But you didn’t even think of giving Rajat Patidar a chance. Why should age be a factor?” Vihari asked.“If you have taken so many players who have played in IPL, why not Patidar? You have filled the team with left-handers. There is no right-hander except Shreyas,” he added.
