NEWS
Follow UsRajat Patidar got the coveted opportunity to play Test cricket for India in February 2024 against England. His ability to play spin well, especially in Indian conditions, was thought as one of the main reasons for his selection in the Test side.
However, in the six innings he played against England, a spinner dismissed him on all six occasions. He could score only 63 runs at an average of 10.5.
The same pattern continued in red-ball cricket for Patidar when he was yet again dismissed against spin in the ongoing Duleep Trophy game between India C and D at Anantapur.
India D had already bore the brunt of a spicy track, and despite Axar’s splendid 85, they were all out for just 164. In reply, India C lost their second wicket at just 14, and Patidar came to the crease when the pitch had eased up quite a bit and was good to bat on.
He looked excellent in his first 29 deliveries. However, the knack of playing a shot even on a stump line delivery proved costly for him. Axar bowled the delivery from around the wicket to the right-hander flatter and into the stump. There wasn’t enough room to play a cut. However, Patidar did exactly that, missed the delivery and was clean-bowled.
Patidar will hope to improve his performance in the second innings, as he would love to make a comeback on the Test side after Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel made the most of their chances against England in the Tests.
Patidar was the fourth wicket to fall, and India C are 91/4 at the end of Day 1 at Anantapur with Baba Indrajit (15*) and Abhishek Porel (32*) at the crease.
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