Edited by Deepali Verma
There exists a possibility that Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar might be given opportunity for his Test debut against England in the second match of the series in Vizag. Patidar, having already debuted in the ODI for India, has said that he is excited to find out if he will play his maiden match in the whites on February 2.
Speaking prior to the second Test match via a Board of Control for Cricket in India video, Patidar remarked that getting his first Test call-up was special. The batter suffered an injury that lasted for a major part of the 2023 season after suffering an Achilles Heel injury. As a result, the batter had missed the Indian Premier League, which proved to be a big blow for the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise.
“My first Test call-up soon after my recovery has got to be my happiest moment as it is my dream to represent my country in Test cricket. It felt ecstatic to get that call. I was playing India A matches and it felt really good,” said Rajat Patidar in a BCCI interview.
There are expectations that the batter will add strength against spin bowling. Patidar conversed about being around the India camp and learning tricks of the trade from Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma.
“I have played a considerable number of matches in the domestic circuit with some of the India players. There have been interactions with Rahul Dravid sir since the last 2 series. I have not had the chance to speak to Rohit Sharma a lot but in this tour, I have listened to him talk about how to bat in different conditions and that gives me a lot of confidence,” Patidar said.
Patida, an aggressive batter, said that he was going to trust his natural game and that he was adding on some tricks from India captain Rohit Sharma.
“I follow an aggressive batting style and have batted this way from my domestic cricket debut. It is my habit of playing like that and I have not changed a lot of things. I am still in the process of learning how to tackle field placements from Rohit Sharma,” Rajat Patidar added.
When asked about learning cricket from Virat Kohli, the batter remarked that there is considerable stuff to learn by watching him. Patidar revealed that whenever Virat Kohli bats in the nets, he makes sure that he stands behind and focuses on his technique.
“Whenever Virat Kohli bats in the nets, I stand behind him to watch his movements. Especially his footwork and the body movement against the balls pitched up to him, that I am trying to add relentlessly,” Patidar concluded.
