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.
An Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was performing a mid-air manoeuvre at the Dubai Airshow when it suddenly flipped and lost control, crashing into the ground and leaving the pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, dead. The incident was captured on camera and has since gone viral. Emergency crews responded to the scene and a court of inquiry is underway to determine the cause of the accident. The Indian Air Force has expressed deep regret and stands with the pilot's family during this difficult time.
The Indian Air Force suffered a tragic loss at the Dubai Airshow when Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a highly skilled and respected pilot, died during a routine aerobatic display. The Tejas fighter jet, which Syal was flying, failed to regain altitude after executing a barrel roll and crashed in front of an international audience. Experts believe that a slight miscalculation during the manoeuvre may have been the cause of the crash. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh expressed his grief and praised Syal as a brave and courageous pilot, highlighting the sacrifice made by this young officer in service of his country.
South Africa emerged victorious in the first Test against India with a thrilling 30-run win, taking a 0-1 lead in the multi-format series. Captain Temba Bavuma expressed his excitement after the win and talked about his personal record when playing in India. He also mentioned the team's strategy to exploit the conditions and credited his own adaptability for his performance in the match. With this much-needed win, South Africa has announced its presence in the series with a strong statement.
After South Africa's victory over India in the first Test, Bumrah made a point to approach Bavuma and clear the air about their 'bauna hai' comment, which had sparked a social media uproar. The Indian pacer's comforting gesture, with his arm around the South African skipper, showed sportsman spirit and brought closure to the issue. Simon Harmer's four-wicket haul and Washington Sundar's lone resistance of 31 runs were the highlights of the match.
South Africa pulled off a remarkable victory against India in the first Test of the two-match series, with Simon Harmer taking eight wickets. India, missing their key batsman Shubman Gill, failed to chase down 124 runs as they were bowled out for 93. South Africa's skipper Temba Bavuma also played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 55 to guide his team to victory on a challenging pitch.
India's Captain Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury while batting in the first test against South Africa, and was forced to leave the field midway through the match. After being ruled out of the first test, team coach Gautam Gambhir stated that Gill's availability for the second test will be determined after the physio's assessment. In Gill's absence, Rishabh Pant took charge of the team and led them to a shocking defeat against the visitors. With the series tied at 1-0, the Indian team will have to make a comeback in the second test, for which Gill's availability is uncertain.
Punjab Kings, one of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), have surprised the fans and experts by releasing star players Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell ahead of the next month's auction. The duo, along with three other players, were not retained by the franchise despite their impressive performances in the last season. Sharing the reason behind the decision, head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that the availability of Inglis for the entire tournament was the main concern.
With 17 key players retained, including captain Axar Patel and overseas stars Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs, Delhi Capitals are gearing up for the IPL 2026 auction. The team is looking to strengthen their squad with five overseas players and a pace-bowling all-rounder, an opening partner for KL Rahul, a middle-overs backup batter for Stubbs, and a couple of domestic options. The Capitals are confident in their coaching team and scouting network's ability to identify the right talent to complement their core group. Co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi and Parth Jindal express excitement for an exciting auction and building a balanced team for the upcoming season.
In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders have parted ways with one of their biggest players, Andre Russell, right before the team retentions. Russell, who has been an important member of the team since 2014, will now enter the auction in mid-December. Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings have also been making headlines with their trades and releases, including parting ways with young talent Matheesha Pathirana. Stay tuned for more updates.
The Chennai Super Kings are shaking up their squad as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season with the release of young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. While the team may be looking to get him back at a lower price in the mini auction, his recent performance and a change in bowling action may have prompted the decision. This move also gives CSK an extra Rs 13 crore in their budget as they look to build a stronger squad.