In the wake of Virat Kohli’s absence due to personal reasons in the upcoming Tests against England, the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has chosen Rajat Patidar as his replacement for the first two matches in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
The decision between experienced campaigner Cheteshwar Pujara and rising talents like Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Rinku Singh has been a topic of speculation. However, the selection committee opted for the Madhya Pradesh right-handed batter, Rajat Patidar, who was present at the BCCI annual awards, Naman, alongside the Indian team members in Hyderabad.
While Patidar may not don the Test cap immediately, with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul set to occupy the middle-order, his inclusion reinforces India’s batting depth, especially in the absence of other specialist batters in the reserves.
The selection committee and team management’s unanimous choice of Patidar signals a departure from the Pujara-Rahane route. This decision also means that Sarfaraz Khan, a prolific red-ball batter in domestic cricket, will have to wait for his maiden call-up.
Rajat Patidar’s recent form has undoubtedly played a crucial role in his selection. He showcased his prowess with two centuries in his last three innings for India A against the England Lions. His standout performance, a 151-run knock in the recent four-day game, weighed significantly in favor of his selection.
Despite setbacks, including an Achilles heel injury requiring surgery, Patidar has remained in contention for a national call-up. The 30-year-old finally earned his India cap during the third ODI against South Africa at Paarl, where he contributed a breezy 22 while opening the batting.
Known for his temperament and ability to score briskly against both pace and spin, Patidar had a commendable Vijay Hazare Trophy last year, amassing 315 runs in six innings at an average of 52.50 and an impressive strike rate of 104.30. His first-class average of 46 in 55 matches further underscores his red-ball prowess.
Originally part of India A’s squad for the second and third four-day matches against England Lions, Patidar’s inclusion in the Test team became inevitable following Kohli’s unavailability.
As the cricket fraternity awaits Patidar’s potential debut, the BCCI’s choice suggests a strategic move towards infusing fresh talent into the squad.
Stay tuned for more updates on the India vs England Test series.
