Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu believes Rajat Patidar deserves to play for India amid the ongoing UK tour but at the same time, admitted there is no opening in the team. Patidar was able to lead RCB from the front and played a key role in taking the team to glory for the second time in a row in IPL 2026.

The RCB captain amassed 501 runs in 14 innings at an average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 192.69 in the recently concluded season. Patidar took the attack against the opposition bowlers in the middle overs and made a huge difference with his aggressive approach.

“I don’t think he is being overlooked. It is impossible to keep a talent like that away. I just think it is a matter of time. There is a spot that is not there for him in the Indian side. I don’t think he needs to prove anything in India A. He is a fantastic player who deserves an India cap. Because there is not an opening, I think that is why he is left out. But whenever that happens, I am sure he will be the first name on the sheet,” Ambati Rayudu told a select group of journalists.

Rayudu said he wouldn’t say Patidar should play in place of Tilak Varma but reckons he definitely deserves a place in the team.

“I would not say he deserves a spot in place of Tilak Varma, but he definitely deserves a spot in the team because he has performed exceptionally well. But if you look at even Tilak’s performances, they have been good on and off. He has struggled on wickets which are slow, and we have seen that in the IPL as well in the past. If given an opportunity, he can go back and work on that side of his game. His tempo can be raised if he works on these things,” he said.

India will next take on England in a five-match T20I series.