Rajat Patidar tells BCCI to remove him from Asia Cup squad, Ayush Badoni comes in

Rajat Patidar tells BCCI to remove him from Asia Cup squad, Ayush Badoni comes in

Rajat Patidar Withdraws from Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026; Ayush Badoni Named Replacement

India A’s preparations for the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 have taken a late turn, with Rajat Patidar withdrawing from the squad to manage existing injuries. The BCCI confirmed that the batter asked not to be considered for the 50-over competition while he focuses on his fitness. Delhi batter Ayush Badoni has been called up in his place, while Rinku Singh has been promoted to vice-captain.

The change comes only days before the tournament begins in Doha, Qatar. Patidar had originally been named vice-captain to skipper Tilak Varma, and his withdrawal removes an experienced middle-order batter from a squad built around several of India’s emerging players. His decision also comes ahead of a busy domestic schedule, as he is expected to lead Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Why Patidar Is Missing from India A’s Squad

According to the BCCI, Patidar informed the board that he needs to manage his current injuries and requested that he not be considered for selection in the 50-over format. The selectors subsequently withdrew him from the India A group and named Badoni as his replacement.

With the tournament approaching, the decision allows Patidar to prioritise recovery rather than risk aggravating an injury during a demanding competition. It also gives Badoni an opportunity to join a high-profile squad and make his case for a larger role in India’s limited-overs plans.

Patidar’s absence is significant because of his ability to anchor an innings while also scoring quickly. India A will now look to its other middle-order options, including Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge and Badoni, to provide stability and late-innings acceleration. Rinku’s appointment as vice-captain adds leadership responsibility to a player already known for his composure in pressure situations.

Patidar’s List A Record Offers a Measure of His Value

Although Patidar has played three Tests and one ODI for India, much of his reputation has been built through domestic cricket and the IPL. His List A numbers underline why he was initially selected for the Rising Stars tournament: across 70 matches and 68 innings, he has scored 2,401 runs at an average of 37.51 and a strike rate of 98.48.

That record includes four centuries and 15 half-centuries, with a highest score of 158. He has also struck 241 boundaries and 55 sixes, showing that his game can adapt to both accumulation and attacking play. For India A, losing a batter with that combination of experience and scoring range is a notable setback, even if the squad has several promising alternatives.

Updated India A Squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup

The revised squad will be led by Tilak Varma, with Rinku Singh serving as vice-captain. The group includes a mix of internationally experienced players, young batters and all-round options, giving the selectors an opportunity to assess depth ahead of future assignments.

India A squad: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (captain), Rinku Singh (vice-captain), Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshad Khan and Ayush Badoni.

The tournament in Doha will offer a valuable test for players looking to move closer to senior international selection. For young batters in particular, performances in unfamiliar conditions can provide useful evidence of their adaptability, while the competition’s short format is likely to reward teams that combine disciplined bowling with quick scoring.

Patidar to Lead Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Patidar is now expected to turn his attention to Madhya Pradesh’s campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 14. The team is placed in Elite Group C and opens against Kerala in a day-night fixture at New Chandigarh.

Madhya Pradesh’s early schedule continues with matches against Assam on November 16, Tripura on November 18 and Andhra on November 20. The side will then play its remaining three league fixtures in Mohali, facing Maharashtra on November 22, Himachal Pradesh on November 24 and Puducherry on November 26.

The squad includes batters Akshat Raghuwanshi, Harsh Gawli and Aniket Verma, while Avesh Khan is set to lead the pace attack. Saransh Jain, Kumar Kartikeya Singh and Shivang Kumar provide spin options. Gawli and Apoorv Dwivedi are the team’s wicketkeeping choices.

Two notable absentees are Madhav Tiwari, who has featured for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, and fast bowler Kuldeep Sen, who is currently recovering from injury. Sen’s absence may place added responsibility on Avesh and the other seamers, while Patidar’s leadership and batting will be central to Madhya Pradesh’s campaign.

Prediction: What the Changes Could Mean for Both Teams

For India A, the immediate challenge will be to adjust quickly without Patidar’s experience. The squad has enough batting talent to remain competitive, but its middle order may need to take on greater responsibility if early wickets fall. Badoni’s inclusion gives the team another flexible batting option, while Rinku’s promotion could prove important both on and off the field.

Madhya Pradesh, meanwhile, will hope Patidar can combine his captaincy duties with a strong return to competitive cricket. His workload and fitness will be worth monitoring, particularly given that the withdrawal was made to manage existing injuries. A careful approach could help him contribute across the domestic season without compromising his recovery.

The key prediction is that both teams will use the changes as an opportunity to test their depth. India A can assess whether its younger players are ready to handle greater responsibility, while Madhya Pradesh will rely on Patidar’s experience to guide a balanced squad through a demanding T20 group. His withdrawal is a setback for the Doha-bound side, but it may also be a sensible step in protecting a player whose domestic form remains an important part of his value to Indian cricket.

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