Who is Rajat Patidar? All you need to know about India's 256th ODI cricketer

Rajat Patidar replaced Ruturaj Gaikwad in the playing XI for third ODI of the series in Paarl.

Rajat Patidar, the Madhya Pradesh cricketer, became the 256th cricketer to make his ODI debut for India. Patidar is playing in the third and deciding ODI between South Africa and India at the Boland Park in Paarl on December 21, 2023.

Rajat Patidar made quite a noise when he scored a century in the IPL 2022 for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the playoffs match against LSG in Kolkata. Incidentally, Patidar had gone unsold in the IPL 2022 auction but was called up by RCB as a replacement for Luvnith Sisodia.

RCB handed Rajat Patidar a few games and he made the most of the opportunity, hammering an unbeaten 112 against Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens to eventually pave the way for his team’s 14-run win in the eliminator.  

In the eight IPL innings in 2022, Patidar scored 333 for Royal Challengers Bangalore at an average of 55.50. A month after the IPL, Patidar scored a century in the final of the Ranji Trophy against Mumbai, guiding Madhya Pradesh to their maiden title.

Second time called up for Indian team

His exploits in the Indian Premier League and domestic cricket had earned Patidar his maiden India call-up last year for the series against South Africa, though he didn’t get a game. Patidar then suffered a serious Achilles heel injury in 2022, which ruled him out for most of the cricketing action in 2023 as well.

His most recent India call-up came for the series against South Africa on an away tour. And he finally got to make his India debut in the third and final ODI in Paarl with series level 1-1. Patidar is slated to bat at No. 3 spot, replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad, who injured his finger in the second match.

Patidar has thus far played 52 FC matches, scoring 3795 runs with 11 centuries and a best of 195. In 57 List-A matches, he has 1963 runs with 3 centuries and a best of 158 at an average of 36.35.

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