Rajat Patidar has quickly become one of the most exciting batters in Indian cricket. Known for his calm temperament and elegant strokeplay, Patidar represents the Madhya Pradesh domestic team and captains Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. He made his international debut for the India national cricket team in December 2023 during the South Africa tour.
Patidar has built a strong reputation in domestic cricket with consistent performances in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His ability to perform under pressure and score runs in crucial matches has made him a fan favourite across the country.
In the 2024–25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he captained Madhya Pradesh and scored 428 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 186, helping his team reach the final. His rise from domestic cricket to international cricket has been inspiring, especially considering the challenges he faced early in his career.
Rajat Patidar Switched from Fast Bowling to Batting After Injury
One of the most surprising facts about Rajat Patidar is that he originally wanted to become a fast-bowling all-rounder. However, a serious ACL injury in 2014 changed the direction of his cricket career.
During rehabilitation, he decided to focus completely on batting. What initially felt like a setback eventually helped him become one of India’s most stylish top-order batters. Today, Patidar is admired more for his timing and shot selection than bowling skills.
Rajat Patidar Postponed His Wedding for IPL 2022
In IPL 2022, Patidar received a last-minute call-up from Royal Challengers Bengaluru as an injury replacement. At that time, his wedding was scheduled for May 9.
Without hesitation, he postponed the wedding and joined the RCB squad. Soon after, he produced one of the greatest IPL playoff innings ever by smashing an unbeaten 112 off just 54 balls in the Eliminator match. That knock instantly changed his career.
Rajat Patidar Scored Centuries on His Debut and Ranji Trophy Final
Patidar has a habit of delivering in important matches. On his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh, he scored a century and announced himself as a future star.
Later, during the 2022 Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai, he once again scored a brilliant hundred while helping Madhya Pradesh win their maiden Ranji Trophy title. His performances in pressure situations have become one of his biggest strengths.
Rajat Patidar Was Once a Huge RCB Fan
Before becoming captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Patidar was a passionate fan of the franchise. He admired legends like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers while growing up.
He has spoken about feeling nervous when meeting his idols for the first time. Years later, he achieved the dream of leading RCB and became an important figure in the franchise’s history.
Rajat Patidar Played IPL for ₹20 Lakh Before Big Success
Patidar’s IPL journey is a story of patience and hard work. During the 2022 IPL mega auction, he initially went unsold. Later, RCB signed him as an injury replacement for the base price of ₹20 lakh.
Despite delivering strong performances, he continued playing for several seasons at that salary level. Eventually, the franchise rewarded his consistency and loyalty with a major ₹11 crore retention ahead of IPL 2025.
Rajat Patidar International Cricket Journey
Patidar earned his first major India call-up after his outstanding IPL performances in 2022. He was initially selected for India’s ODI squad against South Africa but did not get a chance in the playing XI.
He finally made his ODI debut on 21 December 2023 against South Africa and scored 22 runs from 16 balls. Shortly after, he received a Test call-up as a replacement for Virat Kohli during the England series.
Patidar made his Test debut on 2 February 2024 and scored 32 and 9 in his first match.
FAQs About Rajat Patidar
Q. Which teams does Rajat Patidar play for?
A. Rajat Patidar plays domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh and captains Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
Q. When did Rajat Patidar make his international debut?
A. He made his ODI debut for India on 21 December 2023 against South Africa.
Q. What is Rajat Patidar’s role in domestic cricket?
A. Patidar is a top-order batter and captain for the Madhya Pradesh cricket team.
Q. How many runs did Rajat Patidar score in the Ranji Trophy season?
A. He scored 713 runs in a Ranji Trophy season and finished as Madhya Pradesh’s leading batter.
Q. When did Rajat Patidar make his Test debut?
A. Patidar made his Test debut on 2 February 2024 against England.
Stay Updated with the Latest Cricket News on CrickSchedule. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube for live updates.
