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 will head into the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 without Rajat Patidar after the batter asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to withdraw him from the squad so he can manage ongoing injuries. With the tournament approaching in Doha, Qatar, selectors have named Delhi batter Ayush Badoni as his replacement and elevated Rinku Singh to vice-captain.

Patidar had originally been selected as deputy to captain Tilak Varma. His decision means India A lose an experienced middle-order batter, but it also gives him time to focus on his fitness ahead of a demanding domestic season. He is expected to lead Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 14.

BCCI confirms Patidar’s withdrawal

According to the BCCI, Patidar informed the board that he needed to manage his existing injuries and requested not to be considered for selection in the 50-over format at this time. The selection committee subsequently removed him from the India A squad and brought in Badoni.

The change comes only days before the Rising Stars Asia Cup begins, leaving the team with limited time to adjust its plans. Rinku Singh, who was already part of the squad, has been named vice-captain. His promotion adds leadership experience to a group featuring several young players looking to make an impression at the regional tournament.

Badoni’s selection offers India A a flexible batting option. The Delhi player has experience across domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, and can strengthen the middle order. The team’s balance will depend on how the selectors use its specialist batters, all-rounders and wicketkeepers across the competition.

Patidar’s record and experience

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 record highlights his ability to score at a brisk pace while also building substantial innings: in 70 matches and 68 innings, he has made 2,401 runs at an average of 37.51 and a strike rate of 98.48.

His List A tally includes four centuries and 15 half-centuries, with a highest score of 158. He has also struck 241 boundaries and 55 sixes. Those numbers underline why his absence matters: Patidar can provide both stability and attacking intent in the middle order, qualities that are valuable in a 50-over tournament.

For Patidar, however, managing his fitness is likely to take priority over adding to those figures in Doha. A careful return could be important as he prepares to captain Madhya Pradesh and contribute across the domestic season. The immediate prediction for India A is that the team will need other batters to take on the responsibility of anchoring the innings and accelerating at key moments.

Updated India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026

India A: 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 squad combines batting depth with a range of bowling options, including pace and spin. With Patidar unavailable, the top and middle order may have to adapt depending on match conditions and the opposition. The tournament will also give emerging players a chance to demonstrate their readiness for higher levels of competition.

Patidar to captain Madhya Pradesh in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

After stepping away from India A duty, Patidar is set to lead Madhya Pradesh in the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The state side has been placed in Elite Group C and will begin its campaign against Kerala in a day-night fixture at New Chandigarh on November 14.

Madhya Pradesh will then face Assam on November 16, Tripura on November 18 and Andhra on November 20. The team’s final three league matches will be played in Mohali: against Maharashtra on November 22, Himachal Pradesh on November 24 and Puducherry on November 26.

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

Madhav Tiwari, who has appeared for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, has not been included. Fast bowler Kuldeep Sen is also absent while recovering from an injury. Patidar’s captaincy and batting will therefore be central to Madhya Pradesh’s campaign, though the team will need contributions throughout the lineup to progress from a competitive group.

Fitness management becomes the immediate priority

Patidar’s withdrawal highlights the careful workload decisions facing players who move between international, franchise and domestic cricket. Rather than risk aggravating an existing problem, he will focus on recovery and prepare for his leadership role in the domestic T20 competition.

For India A, the late squad change creates an opportunity for Badoni and other players to step up. For Madhya Pradesh, Patidar’s availability will be closely watched as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy gets underway. The key prediction is that his fitness management could shape both teams’ plans in the weeks ahead: India A must find a new source of middle-order experience, while Madhya Pradesh will hope its captain is ready to lead from the front.