Hanuma Vihari Criticizes Indian Team Management for Rajat Patidar's Omission from Zimbabwe T20I Squad

Former India batter Hanuma Vihari has criticised the Indian team management for leaving Rajat Patidar out of India's T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series. Vihari believes Patidar deserved a place after his impressive performances and leadership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while also questioning the overall balance of the squad. 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 contest. After restricting Zimbabwe to 125/7, India chased down the target in just 13.2 overs, thanks to a sensational half-century from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest player to score a fifty in men's international cricket. His 18-ball fifty included four fours and four sixes. Earlier, Mayank Yadav (2/18) and Prince Yadav (2/19) starred with the ball, while India also named role-specific concussion substitutes for the first time, including Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur.

Vihari questions squad balance

Vihari said the selectors made some difficult decisions, especially by leaving out Patidar despite the squad featuring several left-handed batters. He felt a right-handed batter like Patidar or Sanju Samson would have given the team better balance. "Rinku Singh was brought back, but where is Rajat Patidar? He led RCB to titles in two seasons and also performed well as a batter. He was not considered as well. These are hard calls from the selectors. Patidar should have been given a chance, especially because if you look at the team, all are left-handers. With so many left-handers, Patidar or Samson as right-handers should have been there. Yes, Prabhsimran is there, but I don't think he will play because Ishan Kishan will be the first choice wicketkeeper," Vihari said on his YouTube channel.

Vihari also backs Kuldeep and Samson

Vihari also questioned the omission of experienced wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. He pointed out that Patidar scored 486 runs at a strike rate of 196.76 in IPL 2026 and felt performances should matter more than age while picking the squad. "It's a serious case of why Kuldeep Yadav has not been included. He is a wrist-spinner with experience. Why did you not play him? Also, if you did not want Sanju Samson for the Zimbabwe series, you sent Prabhsimran. Fine. But you did not even consider giving an opportunity to Rajat Patidar. Why should age be a factor?" Vihari asked. "If you have taken many players who performed in the IPL, then why not Patidar? You have filled the team with left-handers. There is no right-hander apart from Shreyas," he added.