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.
The football world was left in shock and mourning after the tragic news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, in a car crash while on holiday in Spain. The 28-year-old forward, who also played for Portugal and various club teams, was remembered by his former teammates and colleagues, including Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, and fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. The football community offers their condolences to the Jota family and hopes for peace for their loved ones in this difficult time.
In a devastating blow to the sporting world, Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in Spain. Jota, who was only 28 years old, and Silva, who was 25, were involved in the accident while trying to overtake another car on a highway near the Portuguese border. The news of Jota's death has not only sent shockwaves through the football community, but also touched the hearts of athletes from other sports, such as 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal who expressed his condolences for the young player and his family.
After a thrilling match at Wimbledon, Marin Cilic emerged victorious over Jack Draper, booking his spot in the third round. The former US Open champion showed off his impressive serving skills, firing 16 aces against the Briton. In his on-court interview, Cilic expressed his emotions and credited his team for their support throughout his long and dedicated career. With this win, he also made history by becoming the third-oldest player to defeat a top-five opponent at Wimbledon, surpassing big names like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
World champion Magnus Carlsen has raised doubts about reigning champion Gukesh's performance in shorter time control formats, ahead of their first face-off since the infamous table smashing incident in Norway Chess. However, Gukesh has started strong in the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia, leading the 10-player field along with Carlsen himself. The event will see players compete in rapid and blitz formats, where Gukesh has struggled in the past. With tough competition in the field, including Gukesh's compatriot Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen will have to prove himself against Gukesh in rapid and blitz games.
Harry Brook, the white-ball captain of England, has revealed his reasons for opting out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his desire to participate in the tournament in the future. Despite being bought by Delhi Capitals for a whopping INR 6.25 crore, Brook chose to prioritize his duties to the national team, violating BCCI's new rule. However, he remains hopeful of playing in the IPL after his two-year suspension. In the ongoing series against India, Brook impressed with 99 runs in the first test and also praised Indian player Rishabh Pant.
Shubman Gill, the captain of Team India, made an impressive performance on day 2 of the ongoing Test against England at Edgbaston, becoming the Indian captain with the highest test score by scoring 269 runs. India's new number four batsman proved to be a major problem for England's bowling attack. Meanwhile, Indian pacer Akash Deep made a comeback after giving 11 runs in the first over, picking up two wickets in two balls in the third over of England's innings, putting pressure on the opposition's top order.
In the second Test match between India and England, Indian skipper Shubman Gill dominated the field with an incredible 269 off 387 deliveries, setting the record for the highest individual score by an Indian player against England. His performance helped India reach a massive total of 587 all out. Later, India's pace attack dismantled England's top order, with Akash Deep taking two wickets in two consecutive deliveries. Gill's outstanding performance not only made him the first Asian skipper to score a double century on English soil, but also raised his average to 40 in just three innings in England.
After defeating world champion Magnus Carlsen in classical chess a few weeks back, Indian teenager Gukesh has now done it again in rapid chess at the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025 in Zagreb. Carlsen, playing with white pieces and in a supposedly weaker format for Gukesh, resigned in the 49th move with a muted reaction. Gukesh, on the other hand, has been on a streak of victories against some of the strongest players in the tournament, proving his skills and causing former world champion Garry Kasparov to question Carlsen's domination.
In the second Test against England, Indian skipper Shubman Gill made history by becoming the first Asian captain to score a double century in England. His epic innings of 200 runs helped India reach a commanding position of 564/7 at tea on Day 2. Despite a flat track, England was unable to stop Gill's onslaught, as he formed a formidable partnership with Washington Sundar. Gill's remarkable achievement is a noteworthy moment in his first series as Test skipper, proving himself as a match-winner for India.
Shubman Gill made history by becoming the first Indian and Asian captain to score a double hundred in a Test match in England. His remarkable performance also saw him surpass Sunil Gavaskar's record for the highest individual score by an Indian batter on English soil. Gill, who took 311 deliveries to reach the milestone, joined a select group of Indian captains with double hundreds, including Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, and MAK Pataudi.