Old Indian ship Hanuma Vihari criticized the Indian team management for the departure Rajat Patidar out of India’s T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series. Vihari believes that Patidar deserved a place after his impressive performances and leadership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while also questioning the overall balance of the team.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 the balance of the team
Vihari said the selectors took some tough decisions, especially dropping Patidar despite the team having several left-handed batsmen. He felt a straight beat as a Patidar or Saint Samson it would have given the team a better balance.“Rinku Singh has been brought back, but where is Rajat Patidar? He has led RCB to titles in two seasons and has also performed well as a batsman. He was not considered either. These are called tough by the selectors. Patidar should have been given a chance, especially because if you look at the team, they are all left-handed. I don’t think he will play because Ishan Kishan will be the first choice keeper,” said Vihari on his YouTube channel.
Vihari also supports Kuldeep and Samson
Vihari also questioned the omission of an experienced wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson. He pointed out that Patidar scored 486 runs at a strike rate of 196.76 in IPL 2026 and felt that performances should matter more than age while picking the team.“It is a serious case of why Kuldeep Yadav was not 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. Because age should be a factor.” Vihari asked.“If you have taken many players who have performed in the IPL, why not Patidars? You have filled the team with left-handers. There is not a right-hander except Shreyas,” he added.