Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were at their best against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and leading the line was 28-year-old Rajat Patidar. The batter's brilliant innings lit up the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, May 25, as he played one of the finest knocks in the history of IPL knockout stages. The batter from Madhya Pradesh hit 112 not out from just 54 balls in a stunning display against Lucknow in the all-important Eliminator.
Given the importance of his mega innings, Patidar proved his worth and endeared himself to the fans of RCB who will surely remember this innings for a long time. Patidar's knock helped RCB end their Eliminator jinx and book a berth in the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) while eliminating the new Indian Premier League (IPL) entrants Lucknow from the tournament.
So much so that India's biggest cricket superstar Virat Kohli believes that he is a player to watch out for in the future. But Patidar was not supposed to be at the Eden Gardens initially. Instead, he was set to get hitched in May after he went unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction in February, according to The New Indian Express.
Patidar, who played four matches and scored 71 runs in IPL 2021, was not retained by RCB. They did not bid for him in the mega auction but an injury to Luvnith Sisodia meant Patidar was roped in as a replacement player on April 3 for a price of Rs 20 lakh. Patidar's innings made him the first uncapped batter to hit a hundred in the IPL in the knockout stages.
"The plan was to get him married on May 9. It was supposed to be a small function and I had booked a hotel too in Indore," Manohar Patidar, Rajat's father, was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express.
"The marriage was not supposed to be a grand affair, so we didn't get invitation cards printed. I have booked a hotel for limited guests but the booking has been advanced as we plan to hold the function in July once he is free from his responsibility with the Madhya Pradesh Ranji team," he added.
Patidar will now tie the knot with the girl from Ratlam in July after he completes his commitments with the state team in the Ranji Trophy knockout stages. His team Madhya Pradesh will take on Punjab in their quarter-final outing which starts on June 6.
