The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the 20th match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and the reigning champions, saw some brutal knocks in the match as RCB won the game by 18 runs after posting a target of 241 runs. RCB captain Rajat Patidar was also among the attackers; He hit 53 off 20 balls.
After Rajat Patidar’s strong knock, which consisted of four boundaries and five sixes, he created absolute chaos during the game and hit spinners all over the park, especially Mayank Markande. Rajat Patidar has been one of the best spinners in recent times and he has been hitting spinners like he is playing a video game.
Rajat Patidar to debut for India?
After witnessing Rajat Patidar’s crazy knock, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal demanded that the former be called up to the Indian National Cricket Team in the upcoming series, but the real question for the Men in Blue team is that several players are lining up for the T20 team. Patidar may not get a chance anytime soon.
“He hit three sixes in his first five balls. The reverse sweep six was the best,” Akmal said on the ‘Game Plan’ podcast, explaining that the RCB captain immediately put pressure on the bowlers and forced MI to change their strategies.
He[Rajat Patidar] has set a different standard- Kamran Akmal
The former batsman was also happy with Patidar’s rise. Kamran Akmal believes Patidar’s recent performances will get him into consideration for the Indian National Cricket Team and he can replace Tilak Varma in the middle order as the MI batsman has been struggling with his form in IPL 2026.
“The way Rajat came and played, he has set a different standard,” Akmal said, adding that there is an ongoing debate in India about his role in the T20 team. “There is a debate whether Patidar should replace Tilak Varma, and Shreyas Iyer should replace Suryakumar Yadav,” he said, pointing to the growing competition for places in the Indian middle-order.
Become a different team: Akmal at RCB after winning IPL
Akmal, while explaining RCB’s brutal batting, took the example that while Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 219 after a similar start against Punjab Kings, RCB stood out by maximizing their lead. “It was 115 in 10 overs. It was the same start that SRH had in their game, and they made 219. RCB, on the other hand, made 240. That was the difference between winning and losing,” he said.
Kamran Akmal also credited Phil Salt for his aggressive batting in opening the innings. Salt started chaos at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday when he scored 78 off 35 balls.
Akmal finally concluded: “The way RCB batted and the way Phil Salt batted… usne chhel diya fast bowlers ko.” “They have become a different team since they became champions.”
The former Pakistan cricketer also pointed out MI’s problems in batting and “On the other hand, what has happened to MI? They are such a great team. They have had three consecutive defeats.”
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