'Need Rajat Patidar': Fans Question India's Selection After Historic T20I Series Defeat to Ireland

India's shock 2-0 T20I series defeat to Ireland has triggered widespread criticism of the team management, but amid the frustration, one name has consistently emerged across social media: Rajat Patidar.

After India's middle order struggled in both matches in Belfast, fans questioned why one of the IPL's most destructive batters never got an opportunity despite being in red-hot form over the past two seasons.

'Need Rajat Patidar' trends after another batting collapse

India's batting failed in both games against Ireland, first being bowled out for 148 while chasing 183 before falling agonisingly short of 155 in the second T20I.

The defeats exposed India's fragile middle order in seaming conditions, with established names like Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar failing to consistently deliver across the two matches.

As criticism mounted online, many supporters argued Patidar was the missing piece.

One fan simply posted, "Need Rajat Patidar."

Another wrote:

"Rajat Patidar sabse jyada deserve karta hai."

Others questioned why India continued to back the same middle-order combination despite repeated failures overseas, blaming Gautam Gambhir and holding selectors accountable to their decision.

Why fans believe Patidar deserved a chance

The calls for Patidar's inclusion aren't based purely on emotion.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain enjoyed another sensational IPL campaign in 2026, scoring 501 runs at a staggering strike rate of 192.69, helping RCB lift their second successive IPL title.

His biggest strength came exactly where India struggled against Ireland - the middle overs.

During IPL 2026:

• 501 runs
• Strike rate: 192.69
• 30 fours and 42 sixes
• 234 runs between overs 12-16 at a strike rate of 216.67
• Strike rate of 278.57 in the death overs

Those numbers made Patidar one of the most destructive middle-order batters in the tournament.

Agarkar had already addressed Patidar's omission

Patidar's exclusion had already become a talking point when India's squad for the Ireland and England tours was announced.

Despite leading RCB to consecutive IPL titles, the 32-year-old wasn't initially picked, prompting questions for chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Agarkar defended the decision, saying there were simply too many deserving players competing for limited places.

"We discussed a host of players. We think these 15 are deserving. There are a lot of good players in India. There are plenty who are good enough to walk into the team... There will always be players missing out."

However, India's batting performances in Belfast have reignited that debate.

Were India missing a genuine middle-order aggressor?

India's current T20 setup boasts explosive openers in Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, while Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer add experience.

But against Ireland, once early wickets fell, the innings repeatedly lost momentum.

Patidar has built his reputation as a player capable of absorbing pressure before accelerating rapidly - a role many fans believe India lacked throughout the series.

Several supporters argued that while the management continued backing Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar, Patidar's domestic performances have not been rewarded with an extended opportunity.

Selection headache ahead of England series

India's defeat ended an extraordinary run of 16 consecutive bilateral T20I series victories and handed Ireland their first-ever international win over India.

With the five-match T20I series against England around the corner, the pressure on the selectors has intensified.

Whether Patidar finally gets his opportunity remains to be seen, but one thing is clear after Belfast: the chorus demanding his inclusion has become louder than ever.

For now, India's biggest unanswered selection question isn't about who should open the batting or who should captain the side.

It's whether Rajat Patidar has waited long enough.