Rajat Patidar is a gifted right-handed hitter who has seen the highs and lows of the game in a short amount of time. The Indian Premier League’s 2021 season ended in Patidar’s discharge from the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Nevertheless, he was signed halfway through the 2022 competition season to take Luvnith Sisodia’s spot in case of injury. Against the Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator, the Madhya Pradesh cricket player made the most of his second opportunity by scoring an impressive 112 runs without losing off of 54 balls.
With a season-ending average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 152.75, Patidar performed admirably in the Ranji Trophy. In October 2022, he received his first call-up to the Indian ODI team for a home series against South Africa. He did not, however, receive a game. Patidar had to miss the 2023 IPL season due to an Achilles heel ailment that necessitated surgery. The 30-year-old was called up to the Indian ODI team for the forthcoming ODI series in South Africa after bouncing back from the injury and persevering on the local circuit.
He remarked, “Ab thoda bahut believe karta hun destiny main (Now, I believe in destiny a bit),” following Madhya Pradesh’s victory in a pivotal match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium. “I make an effort not to read too much into what destiny has written. I make an effort to live in the now. Hindustan Times cited him as stating, “It feels very good to get another chance with the India set up after the surgery.”
If Patidar could choose the perfect bowlers to attack, he felt he would score a century in the 2022 Indian Premier League.
“I scored 52 against GT before reaching the hundred (112* from 54 balls against LSG). That’s when I thought maybe I could score an IPL century. That was what I had told Sanjay Bangar, our coach. In the twelfth over, I was out. I knew I could pull it off if I picked the bowlers more carefully,” he says.
Before switching formats, I visualize and consider shot choices carefully. Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar shared some information about how he modifies his game according on format. He claimed to have seen elite players swap formats with little to no modification.
“I have to lower my bat speed in a day match.” My style of play is naturally aggressive. However, I depend more on time. I make an effort to comprehend my game and act appropriately. I spend a lot of time visualizing and analyzing shot choices before switching formats. One thing I’ve learned from watching the best players in T20 is that they never need to drastically alter their style of play. They find a method to score by backing their cricket strokes,” Patidar said.
Although Rajat Patidar doctor has advised that the pain will eventually subside, he stated that he is still playing with it.
It takes a year and a half for the body’s major tendon to fully mend. So far, 6-7 months have passed. According to the doctor, I can play, and the heel will gradually adjust to the surface. A certain amount of anguish exists. However, I had played in pain for three years before surgery. I know I can handle it, he said.
“When you first enter the crease before your body has warmed up, it plays on your mind; once it does, you don’t feel that much.” Rajat Patidar, who has previously suffered an ACL tear and understands the need of perseverance in the healing process, stated
In addition, Rajat Patidar gave Madhya Pradesh coach Chandrakant Pandit credit for assisting him in improving his understanding of and performance in his game.
Over the years, he’s produced a ton of players. Try doing adolescent laddap-vappad khaake; you’ll learn a lot from his strict methods of coaching. Bahut kuch seekha hai unse. He raises the bar for you. He has taught me how to think critically about the game and how to think correctly off the field,” Patidar said in closing.
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