RCB Stars Ignored Again: Why Did ICT Leave Out Match Winners?

Krunal Patidar Bhuvneshwar Miss Out

Krunal Pandya has reacted after being left out of India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series, despite playing an important role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s recent IPL success.

Krunal was reportedly being considered for a return after Axar Patel’s recent struggles, but the selectors decided to retain Axar. Washington Sundar has also been picked, subject to fitness.

After the squad was announced, Krunal posted a short message on social media “Hope is still alive”, along with a crossed fingers emoji and the Indian flag.

Krunal has not played for India since the 2021 T20I series against Sri Lanka. Krunal, Patidar and Bhuvneshwar RCB stars still waiting. The bigger question is not only about Krunal.

RCB have won the IPL in both 2025 and 2026, but three important Indian players from those campaigns remain outside the current T20I squad Krunal Pandya, Rajat Patidar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Krunal took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and followed it with 14 wickets in 2026. He also scored 226 runs in the latest season.

Patidar was RCB’s captain in their title defence and scored 312 runs in IPL 2025 before producing 501 runs in the 2026 season.

Bhuvneshwar was equally important with the ball. He took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and finished IPL 2026 with 28 wickets.

So the question is simple if these three were good enough to play key roles in back to back IPL winning campaigns, why are none of them in India’s current T20I plans?

Axar remains in the squad despite a difficult recent run. He managed only 48 runs and four wickets across India’s seven T20Is against Ireland and England. That has made Krunal’s omission even more noticeable.

Krunal had already said earlier this year that he still hoped to play for India again. His latest message suggests that hope has not changed.

For now, the selectors have moved with Axar. Krunal, Patidar and Bhuvneshwar are still waiting for another India opportunity.

India squad for the Afghanistan T20I series is Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.