Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim reckons Rajat Patidar is a strong contender for India’s T20I captaincy. It has been reported that Suryakumar Kumar is all set to be removed as India’s T20I captain despite winning the T20 World Cup before the IPL 2026.

Meanwhile, 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. 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 on the opposition bowlers in the middle overs and made a huge difference with his aggressive approach.

“I would like to add Rajat Patidar’s name as a contender for captaincy. Winning back-to-back IPL titles is a very tough assignment and he has done that in a very calm and a very assured manner,” Karim said on PTI.

“He has had to lead a team of individuals and foreign players who have been star players for their national sides. To lead such a team which has so many legends and a mix of experience is a very difficult assignment and he has accomplished that.”

The former Indian selector reckons the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are other contenders for India’s T20I captaincy.

“I think Shreyas Iyer would be one of those candidates. I have Sanju Samson, (and) in fact, Ishan Kishan (too). I think there will be two or three strong contenders to take over the captaincy,” he said.

Recently, Rajat Patidar played down selection expectation in the Indian team.

“I’m not looking forward to any selection regarding India. So, I’m not looking forward to it,” Patidar had said.

On the prospect of captaining India, he added: “I don’t visualise being the T20 captain of India. But at the same time, every captain wants to win trophies.”

Indian selectors are expected to announce the squad for the UK tour on Saturday.