In an unbeatable 66-run inning, Rajat Patidar showed off his range of stroke-making skills and led his team, Madhya Pradesh, to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final since 2010. As he continued to hit the ball cleanly, the stadium erupted in chants of "RCB", even though Patidar actually plays for Bengaluru. Despite a tumultuous year that included injuries and a disappointing Test debut, Patidar is now rediscovering his old form and scoring runs with ease. His coach's guidance and his own acceptance of failures have helped him overcome his struggles and focus on his biggest strength - hitting the ball for sixes.
Rajat Patidar: From Regional Star to National Prospect
Rajat Patidar, a 29-year-old cricketer from Indore, has recently emerged as a potential addition to the Indian national cricket team. His impressive performances in domestic tournaments and the Indian Premier League (IPL) have caught the attention of selectors and fans alike.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Patidar began his cricket journey with Madhya Pradesh's Under-19 team. He made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2015 and has consistently performed well in the Ranji Trophy, India's premier first-class tournament. His breakthrough came in the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he led Madhya Pradesh to the final with an unbeaten 66 in the semi-finals.
IPL Stint and National Team Recognition
Patidar caught the eye of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2021. He was initially picked as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal but soon became a regular feature in the team's lineup. In the 2022 IPL season, Patidar was RCB's leading run-scorer with 321 runs at an average of 40.13.
His performances in the IPL earned him a call-up to the Indian Test team for the tour of Bangladesh in 2022. However, an injury prevented him from making his Test debut. Patidar has since recovered from the injury and is now hoping to break into the Indian national team for limited-overs formats.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is Rajat Patidar's biggest strength as a cricketer? Patidar is known for his powerful hitting ability and his ability to clear the boundary with ease.
2. Why is Patidar called "RCB" by fans? Patidar plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, and his impressive performances for the team have earned him a cult following among RCB fans.
3. What role did his coach play in Patidar's recovery from a disappointing Test debut? Patidar's coach, Chandrakant Pandit, provided him with guidance and support, helping him overcome the mental challenges associated with a setback.
4. What is Patidar's favorite dismissal to score? Patidar has a penchant for hitting sixes, and his favorite dismissal to score is a "big hit" over the boundary.
5. What are Patidar's future aspirations? Patidar is determined to break into the Indian national team and represent his country at the highest level. He is also keen to improve his overall game and become a more complete cricketer.
RCB Women made a bold move in the WPL 2025 mini auction, spending a whopping INR 1.2 crore for young spinner Prema Rawat. The 23-year-old, who had a base price of INR 10 lakh, caught the attention of both RCB and Delhi Capitals, with a bidding war pushing the price up to over INR 1 crore before RCB secured her services. Rawat's strong performance in the Uttarakhand Premier League likely contributed to her high price. RCB's decision to go for Rawat may have also been influenced by the injury struggles of their current spinner, Asha Sobhana.
The Women's Premier League 2025 Auction in Bengaluru on Sunday witnessed a fierce bidding war between the Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals for talented batter Simran Shaikh. Eventually, the Gujarat Giants secured her for a whopping price of Rs 1.9 crore due to her impressive performance in previous tournaments. Other exciting uncapped players, such as Deandra Dottin and G Kamalini, also caught the attention of franchises, with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru securing them for hefty sums.
Fans and experts speculate that explosive batsman Rajat Patidar may be appointed as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2025, as the franchise released their current captain Faf du Plessis. Patidar's impressive leadership and performance for Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024, where his team has reached the final after 13 years, has caught the attention of RCB and their social media. The franchise's post praising Patidar's crucial role in guiding his team to the summit clash has triggered widespread speculation about his potential captaincy for RCB in the future.
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The upcoming 2025 Women’s Premier League auction in Bengaluru is expected to be an intense battle as five teams compete to bolster their roster. With big names like Deandra Dottin, Nadine de Klerk, and Heather Knight up for grabs, defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore will focus on maintaining their core players while also adding young talent to their team. Other teams like Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants are also ready to make big moves in the auction.
Liverpool’s star forward Mo Salah is in talks for a new contract, with his current one set to expire at the end of the season. His impressive performance this season, with 16 goals and 13 assists in just 23 appearances, is putting pressure on the club’s management and owners to offer him a new deal. Salah’s former teammate, Mohamed Aboutrika, believes that his form is his way of proving his worth and is speaking louder than any words could. However, with potential interest from other clubs, Liverpool must act quickly to secure their talisman’s future.
In a fierce battle at the Women's Premier League 2025 auction, Gujarat Giants secured the services of young Indian batter Simran Shaikh for a record-breaking Rs 1.9 crore, making her the second-most expensive uncapped player in WPL history. With this signing, the Giants have significantly bolstered their batting with the addition of West Indies' Deandra Dottin earlier in the auction, creating a formidable lineup for the upcoming season. While the bidding war was intense and saw the involvement of multiple teams, it was Gujarat who came out on top with a strong bid for the 22-year-old cricketer from Mumbai.
At the WPL 2025 Auction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru splurged a whopping Rs 1.2 Crore to secure the services of 23-year-old all-rounder Prema Rawat from Uttarakhand. Rawat, who made a name for herself with a match-winning performance in the UPL 2024 final, has been a consistent performer in 49 games across all formats. With her crafty leg spin and batting prowess, Rawat has proven to be a valuable asset for her team, making her a standout option in the auction.
During the second test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, English commentator Isa Guha referred to Indian vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah as the "Most Valuable Primate." This comment sparked accusations of racism, especially considering Guha's Indian heritage and Bumrah's outstanding performance in the match. While it's unclear if it was a slip of the tongue, the comment has caused a stir on social media.