In the wake of Virat Kohli’s unavailability for the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included Rajat Patidar in the Indian squad for the upcoming series. The 30-year-old right-handed batter from Madhya Pradesh showcased exceptional form recently by scoring 151 against England Lions in Ahmedabad. His consistent performances, including a century in the warm-up fixture against the Lions, have earned him a spot in the national team.
Patidar, who made his international debut in an ODI against South Africa in December, had opened the innings in that match. However, for the Test series against England, he is expected to feature in the middle order.
The selection of Rajat Patidar suggests that the team management is not considering Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane at the moment. This decision prolongs the wait for Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan’s potential inclusion in the playing XI.
Rinku Singh has been drafted into the India A squad for the second multi-day match against England Lions, creating an opportunity for Rajat Patidar’s elevation to the senior men’s side.
With his recent success and promising performances, Patidar adds depth to the Indian batting lineup, and fans will be eager to see how he contributes to the team’s success in the upcoming Test series against England.