In the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) Eliminator, the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore faced off against the Lucknow Super Giants. Opening the innings, team captain Faf du Plessis was dismissed for a duck. Soon after, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell followed suit, returning to the pavilion with minimal contributions. Despite losing three ‘star’ players early, Bangalore dismantled Lucknow’s formidable bowling attack, and the name behind this stellar performance was Rajat Patidar. While Bangalore’s powerful batting lineup struggled against Lucknow’s fierce bowling he picked up a ‘superhuman’ century. The innings of 112 runs that day started to earn him recognition across the nation.
This is just a glimpse. Although the IPL season has ended, Rajat Patidar’s batting prowess continues to shine. At just 28, this young blood transformed into a run machine in domestic cricket. This year in the Ranji Trophy, Rajat Patidar once again showcased his ability to play shots all around the wicket. His fluent batting, particularly against fast bowlers, was a delight to watch. Patidar’s strike rate of 78 against pacers demonstrates that even in a red ball cricket, he can deliver impressive performances.
India’s domestic cricket schedule has been quite complicated this year. The Ranji Trophy season started after the IPL matches concluded at the end of May, coinciding with other tournaments like the Duleep Trophy and the Irani Cup. This format change can be challenging for players, as it requires time to adapt. However, Rajat Patidar seems to have no such issues. Like turning an electric switch on and off, he can effortlessly adjust his batting approach across formats. This is evident in his statistics; last month, he scored an impressive 111 runs against Haryana. In total, Patidar amassed 323 runs in five innings during the second phase of the Ranji Trophy.
#RajatPatidar IPL Salary increased by 5500% 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/pVqBaenkZa
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) November 4, 2024
In the domestic circuit, this talent is regarded as a complete package. Rajat Patidar’s batting displays his old copybook technique and remarkable patience. Additionally, he excels in fielding at challenging positions like point and gully. Known for his honesty, discipline, and strong work ethic, Patidar embodies qualities that set him apart. Cricket experts believe that, if he is allowed to play in two or three consecutive matches, he has the potential to score big runs consistently.
Rajat Patidar believes that the shift from T20 to Test format is largely a matter of mindset for the batter. He explained, “If you want to perform well, you need to adjust quickly between red-ball and white-ball cricket. To excel with the red ball, I need to play accordingly. Bat speed is much higher in T20s, whereas in Tests, it’s different. Recognizing this difference is a mental adjustment.”
Patidar remains confident in his adaptability. He stated, “I think I can adjust quickly. The way I play cover drives with the white ball differs from the red ball. In this format, we aim to bat as straight as possible, and it also involves leaving many deliveries.”
Once Rajat Patidar signed his first contract for Bangalore at a modest ₹20 lakh, facing immense financial pressure. But today, RCB has placed its trust in his abilities alongside Virat Kohli, awarding him an impressive ₹11 crore—a significant milestone in Indian cricket. His indomitable spirit has carried him to the heights of his dreams. Though the journey took time, Patidar is thrilled to have arrived, and his father beams with pride at his son’s success. Now, his next goal is to secure a solid spot among the big names in the Royal Challengers squad.