A former chief selector has called for the return of three Royal Challengers Bengaluru players to India's white-ball selection panel.
The request follows a period of contentious selection decisions for the national team. The performance of these players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is now being used as a primary argument for their reintegration into the squad to bolster the national side.
The push for these recalls comes after RCB defeated the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final [4]. The match took place this past Thursday at Dharamshala [5]. During the championship game, RCB posted a total of 254 runs [1], eventually winning the match by 92 runs [3].
One standout performance highlighted by the former selector was that of Rajat Patidar, who scored 93 runs during the innings [2]. This high-scoring display is cited as evidence that the trio possesses the current form necessary for international competition.
The former selector's comments target the current thinking behind India's white-ball selection calls. The dominant nature of the victory in Dharamshala has intensified the debate over whether the national panel has overlooked key talent currently performing at the peak of the domestic circuit.
While the names of the three players were not explicitly listed in the report, the focus remains on the collective impact of the RCB core. The former selector said the team needs to prioritize current form to ensure the white-ball unit remains competitive on the global stage.
“RCB posted a total of 254 runs”
The pressure on India's selection panel suggests a growing rift between domestic T20 success and national team selection criteria. By calling for the 'RCB trio' after a dominant final, the former selector is arguing that IPL form should carry more weight in white-ball recalls than it currently does under the present regime.
