Irfan Pathan urges India to add Rajat Patidar to T20I squad

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has publicly advocated for the inclusion of Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar in India's T20 International squad, citing a need for greater balance in a batting lineup currently dominated by left-handed players. Pathan's comments follow India's four-wicket defeat to England in the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

The loss gave England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the first match was washed out. India, now led by Shreyas Iyer, has yet to secure a win on its UK tour, having been swept in a preceding two-match series against Ireland.

A key point of discussion after the Manchester match was the composition of India's batting order. The team fielded as many as seven left-handed batters, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making his international debut. This created a top order exclusively of left-handers, a situation Pathan believes could be tactically disadvantageous. He stressed that the right-handed Patidar could provide crucial variety and stability.

"Looking at the number of left-hand batters in the Indian T20 team right now, it's even more of a reason for Team India to look...