‘I Know What I Have To Do, Focussing On That’: Rajat Patidar Ahead Of India Vs SA 1st ODI
Ind Vs SA ODI Series: Speaking to ABP Live over the phone, Rajat Patidar, who has got his maiden call to Team India, said he doesn’t want to experiment much, and would continue playing the way he has played so far.
He started playing cricket when he was around 9 years of age. Growing up, he was playing for fun. But once he started to get picked for age group tournaments, he started taking the game seriously. And today, Rajat Patidar is part of the Team India squad selected for the three-match ODI series against South Africa that is starting Thursday, October 6.
For the batter from Madhya Pradesh, it was a dream that came true when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India team Sunday.
“I am elated to get into the Indian squad. It’s a dream come true moment for me, as to represent the country is everyone’s dream. At the same time, I know what I have to do and I am focussing on that only,” Patidar told ABP Live in a telephonic chat.
The batter had an outstanding run for India A as he smashed 319 runs in four innings that includes a century on his debut against New Zealand A.
From turning dreams into reality, learning from @imVkohli & @ABdeVilliers17 to getting appreciated by @DineshKarthik. 🙌 🙌 #TeamIndia @rrjjt_01 sums up his incredible journey ahead of the #INDvSA ODI series. 👌 👌 - By @ameyatilak
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 5, 2022
Full interview 🎥 🔽https://t.co/mGMtKSKAEc pic.twitter.com/AEIV0V4mvl
The Indore player added: “I was actually pondering that I might get a call from the Indian side but did not think it would happen this soon. Usually, I don’t think about things that are not under my control. This selection process is not in my hands, the only thing I can do is hard work. I try to be in the present, whatever match I am playing, I always try to give my best. I don’t think much about the future.”
Shikhar Dhawan has been appointed as the captain of the team for Ind vs SA ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer is the vice-captain for this series.
Rajat is excited to be with the cricketing stars. “It feels great and I am excited to share the dressing room with the stalwarts of Indian cricket like Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer and all the senior players. They have been playing for India for a while now so the amount of experience they have is just unparalleled. I will get to learn so many things from them.”
IPL Century And Playing With Virat Kohli
The 29-year-old batter had a great IPL 2022 with Royal Challengers Bangalore as he ended up scoring 333 runs in eight matches at an average of 55.50. He also scored a century against Lucknow SuperGiants in Kolkata on May 25, 2022. He took only 49 balls to make 112 runs.
Patidar opened up about his feelings when he scored that century. “When I was walking back to the pavilion after scoring a century in the IPL, all the players including the support staff of RCB started congratulating me. It was a surreal moment for me. When I saw those international players standing just to wish me, that moment gave me a lot of confidence. Even my opponents appreciated me after I got that century,” he said.
Rajat was elated when he got the chance to represent Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. He said: “When I got to know that I will be representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, I was delighted.”
It was a big moment for him when he got to share the dressing room with Virat Kohli, Rajat said. “When you share the space with your idol, it is altogether a different feeling that cannot be expressed in words. I learned a lot of things from Virat Kohli such as the way he prepares himself before the match, the way he carries himself, and his aura is great. I see and notice these things in him and try to implement them.”
He added: “I was honoured that I got a chance to show my finesse in the Indian Premier League. It feels so good to share the dressing room with national and international cricketers across the world. It actually helps in gaining confidence.”
Cricketer From A Business Family
Coming from a family that is into business, Rajat is the first one who got into cricket. Nobody had played cricket in his family until now.
“My family members are into business. But when they came to know that I wanted to play cricket, they supported me a lot. They never pressurised me to get into the family business,” he confided.
The right-hand batter has played 45 first-class matches for Madhya Pradesh and scored 3,230 runs. In list A cricket, he has amassed 1,462 runs. At a wholesome strike rate of 142.31, Rajat has made 1,194 runs in the 39 T20Is he has played so far.
Rajat continued his IPL form in the Ranji Trophy 2022 and helped his team lift the title for the very first time. He made 658 runs with the help of two centuries in nine innings.
“I grew up watching Naman Ojha, Ishwar Pandey, and Devendra Bundela playing for Madhya Pradesh. I was privileged that I got an opportunity to play with these legends for Madhya Pradesh. They are of a very kind and helpful nature. Whenever I had any problem, they were always there for me. The things I got to learn from them actually helped me move ahead in my career. They always shared their experiences with me and helped me grow as a player,” he stated.
India vs South Africa 1st ODI will be played on October 6 in Lucknow, while the second ODI will be played in Ranchi on October 9 and the third and final ODI will be played on October 11 in Delhi.
Asked about his game plan if he gets into the playing XI, Rajat said: “I am excited and following the same routine I have followed so far. I don't want to experiment much. I want to continue the things I have been always doing as a player.”
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