Rajat Patidar’s highly anticipated Test debut came to a premature and unlucky end during the match against England at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The debutant, representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore, showcased glimpses of his talent before a twist of fate cut short his innings.
Facing English leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, Patidar found himself in an unfortunate predicament. A deceptive delivery bounced higher than expected, grazing the shoulder of his bat before settling dangerously close to the stumps. In a desperate attempt to fend off the impending danger, Patidar’s foot movement was not enough to prevent the ball from dislodging the bails, resulting in his dismissal.
WATCH: This is how Patidar got out on debutant match
Despite the abrupt end to his innings, Patidar’s performance drew parallels to the resilience of veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane. His composed demeanor and confident stroke play hinted at a promising future in the Test arena.
Initially greeted by Ben Stokes with a challenging bowling lineup, including Tom Hartley and Bashir Ahmed, Patidar showcased his adaptability by finding boundaries with classic white-ball cricket shots. However, his tenure at the crease was cut short, leaving spectators yearning for more.
Replacing the injured KL Rahul in the lineup, Patidar faces stiff competition from the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill for a coveted middle-order spot once Virat Kohli returns. While his contribution with the bat surpassed expectations, falling short of a half-century may leave room for speculation regarding his retention in the team.
Amidst the disappointment of an abbreviated debut, Patidar’s resilience and skillset offer hope for a promising future in international cricket. As he continues to refine his craft, fans eagerly anticipate his return to the crease, eager to witness his prowess on the grand stage of Test cricket.