Rajat Patidar poised for retention in final Test against England at Dharamsala

In anticipation of the fifth Test match against England set to commence in Dharamsala on Thursday, it appears that middle-order batsman Rajat Patidar is poised to maintain his position in the playing XI. According to information obtained by The Indian Express, the team management is inclined to support Patidar for the final Test, indicating that Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal will have to wait a little longer for his Test debut.

Patidar has featured in three Test matches throughout the series, accumulating scores of 32, 9, 5, 0, 17, and 0. Following the fourth Test in Ranchi, which India clinched by 5 wickets to secure an insurmountable 3-1 lead, Patidar’s place in the lineup came under scrutiny.

Rajat Patidar Gets Another Chance

A source close to the team revealed, “The team is keen on giving Rajat Patidar another opportunity as they believe in his talent and are confident that he will soon find his form. With India already sealing the series, the preference is to provide Rajat Patidar with another chance rather than handing a debut to Devdutt Padikkal.”

At the age of 30, Patidar was selected in the Test squad as a substitute for Virat Kohli, who was on a break. His debut came in the second Test at Visakhapatnam following an injury to KL Rahul. However, had Rahul recuperated from his quadricep injury in time for the fifth Test, Patidar would have been released from the squad. Consequently, he might have had the opportunity to represent Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Vidarbha.

Patidar Earns Support from AB de Villiers

Rahul’s availability for the final Test was contingent upon his fitness, but unfortunately, he was ruled out on Thursday. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring his condition and is in communication with specialists in London, where he is undergoing injury management.

In the midst of this, Rajat Patidar has garnered support from former RCB and South African captain Ab de Villiers. Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers remarked, “Rajat Patidar may not be having the series of a lifetime or one to remember. However, the admirable trait of this Indian team and its culture is that individuals survive due to the team’s exceptional cricket and the results they achieve.” He continued, expressing, “If Patidar’s demeanor is infectious and he contributes positively to the dressing room environment, Rohit and the selection panel may choose to take a longer-term view. Despite his recent lack of runs, they may believe in his potential and envision him as part of the team’s future.”

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Harshit Maggon
"Inquisitive mind, ink-stained fingers, and a heart set on uncovering stories. Navigating the labyrinth of words as a journalism student, weaving narratives...