Young India batter Rajat Patidar aims to capitalise on the opportunities presented after being selected in India's squad for the ODI series in South Africa following his surgery.
Although he received his initial call-up in October 2022 for the home series against South Africa, he didn't get a chance to play. Subsequently, Patidar faced an Achilles heel injury that necessitated surgery, leading to his absence from the 2023 IPL.
Having made a comeback in the domestic circuit, Patidar is currently participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 30-year-old, who has recuperated from an injury, earned a call-up to the Indian ODI team for the upcoming South Africa series. Demonstrating impressive form on the local circuit with four fifties in six matches for Madhya Pradesh, he aspires to replicate this success at the national level.
"Now, I believe in destiny a bit. I try not to think too much about what's written in destiny. I try to stay in the present. It feels very good to get another chance with the India setup after the surgery," Patidar said in an interview with the Hindustan Times.
Patidar's century against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2022 Eliminator stood out as one of the standout performances of the season. Following a less impressive debut season in 2021, he amassed 333 runs in seven innings in the 2022 season, showcasing a commendable strike rate of 152.75.
"Before the hundred (112* off 54 balls vs LSG), I had scored 52 against GT. That's when I felt maybe I could score a hundred in IPL. I had said that to our coach Sanjay Bangar. I was getting out in the 12th over. I knew if I chose the bowlers more smartly, I would be able to do it," Patidar said while revisiting the knock.
RCB have opted to keep Patidar for the IPL 2024 season, and with the addition of Cameron Green to their potent batting lineup, Patidar is expected to play a crucial role for the team. Notably, he played a key part in Madhya Pradesh's Ranji Trophy championship win in 2021, contributing 122 runs in the final against Mumbai, leading his team to a convincing six-wicket victory.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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