In match number 20 of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, between Mumbai Indians (MI) and the defending champions, the match saw some brutal batting as RCB won the game by 18 runs after setting a target of 241 runs. RCB captain Rajat Patidar was also among the hitters; He scored 53 runs on 20 balls.
After Rajat Patidar’s explosive innings, which included four fours and five sixes, he caused complete havoc during the game and smashed the spinners, especially Mayank Markande, all over the park. Rajat Patidar has been one of the finest players of spin in recent times, and he is hitting the spinners as if he is playing a video game.
Will Rajat Patidar debut for India?
After seeing Rajat Patidar’s tremendous hitting, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has demanded that Rajat should be called up to the Indian national cricket team in the next series, but the real question for the Men in Blue is that there are many players in line for the T20 squad. Patidar may not get a chance soon.
“He hit three sixes in his first five balls. The reverse sweep six was the best,” Akmal said on the “Game Plan” podcast. He pointed out that the RCB captain immediately put pressure on the bowlers and forced MI to change their strategy.
He[Rajat Patidar] Have set a different level- Kamran Akmal
The former wicketkeeper-batsman was also happy with Patidar’s progress. Kamran Akmal believes that Patidar’s recent performances will earn him consideration for the India national cricket team and could replace Tilak Verma in the middle order as the MI batsman struggles with form in IPL 2026.
Akmal said, “The way Rajat has come and played, he has set a different level.” He said that there is a debate going on about his role in the T20 team in India. “There is a debate going on whether Patidar should replace Tilak Verma and Shreyas Iyer should replace Suryakumar Yadav,” he said, noting the increasing competition for places in the Indian middle-order.
Become a different team- Akmal said on RCB after winning IPL
Describing RCB’s brutal batting, Akmal gave the example that while Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 219 runs against Punjab Kings after an even start, RCB excelled by maximizing their advantage. “They had scored 115 runs in 10 overs. This was the same start that SRH had in their game and they scored 219 runs. On the other hand, RCB scored 240 runs. That was the difference between victory and defeat,” he said.
Kamran Akmal also credited Phil Salt for his aggressive batting while opening the innings. Salt started the havoc at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday by scoring 78 runs in 35 balls.
Akmal finally concluded, “The way RCB batted and the way Phil Salt batted…he bowled over the fast bowlers.” “They have become a different team since becoming champions.”
The former Pakistan cricketer also pointed out MI’s problems with batting and said, “On the other hand, what has happened to MI? Such a great team. They have suffered three consecutive defeats.”
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