In a heartwarming turn of events, Rajat Patidar, the consistent performer from Madhya Pradesh, finds himself donning the prestigious Indian jersey in the second Test against England.
This opportunity comes as a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance in domestic cricket, where Patidar has been a shining star for his team.
The 30-year-old batter, who suffered a setback last year due to an Achilles Heel injury, remained undeterred in his pursuit of excellence. Despite missing out on the IPL 2023 season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Patidar’s determination never wavered.
Reflecting on his journey, Patidar expressed his elation at receiving the Test call-up, describing it as his “happiest moment.” In an interview with the BCCI, he shared, “Getting my first Test call-up soon after my recovery has to be my happiest moment. It is my dream to represent my country in Test cricket.”
Patidar’s camaraderie with senior teammates Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has been instrumental in his growth. Interacting with head coach Rahul Dravid and absorbing insights from skipper Rohit has bolstered his confidence.
“I have played a lot of matches in the domestic circuit with some of the India players. I have been interacting with Rahul Dravid sir since the last 2 series,” Patidar revealed. He also highlighted the guidance received from Rohit Sharma, particularly on batting techniques tailored to different conditions.
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Known for his aggressive batting style, Patidar attributes his approach to his domestic cricket debut. He remains steadfast in his methods while keenly observing Rohit Sharma’s tactics to exploit field placements effectively.
“I have an aggressive batting style and have batted like this since my domestic cricket debut. I am learning how to tackle field placements from Rohit Sharma,” he emphasized.
Being a teammate of the batting maestro Virat Kohli at RCB, Patidar holds immense respect for him and diligently studies his techniques.
“Whenever Virat Kohli bats in the nets, I stand behind him and watch his movements. Especially his footwork and body movement against the balls pitched up to him, that I am trying to add relentlessly,” Patidar disclosed.
As Rajat Patidar embarks on his Test journey, his resilience, coupled with the invaluable guidance from senior teammates, promises an exciting chapter in Indian cricket. His story epitomizes the indomitable spirit of perseverance and determination, inspiring aspiring cricketers across the nation.
