Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 14 runs to enter Qualifier 2 of IPL 2022. Rajat Patidar was the star for RCB as he scored a brilliant hundred under pressure. Before the game, not many knew about the Madhya Pradesh cricketer. However, right now, the player’s name is trending across social media. In this article, we take a look at what Rajat Patidar’s Madhya Pradesh teammate Ishwar Pandey had to say about the player’s inspiring journey so far.
Rajat Patidar’s Madhya Pradesh teammate Ishwar Pandey talks about the player’s career so far
Despite the fall of crucial wickets at the other end, Rajat did well to score 112 of 54 deliveries. He remained not out and was mainly responsible for RCB’s huge total of 207 in the first innings. After the knock, several people have been talking about the 28-year-old.
Ishwar Pandey, who has been part of IPL, said, “He has played such kind of innings before but as none came on TV, people didn’t know about him earlier.” Rajat Patidar comes from a business family and after he went unsold in IPL 2022 Auctions, his family wanted him to focus on their trade. However, Patidar did not give up.
While speaking to Indian Express, Ishwar said, “He always wanted to play cricket and his interest in his family business was last. He just loved playing and the good part was that he never shied away from working hard.”
Patidar has always been a fine cricketer and remembering one of his classic knocks against West Bengal a few years ago, Ishwar told, “The way he was hitting Shami and Dinda, we saw a different class that day. He has that extra time. It was then that we knew this boy will do something for himself.”
Having started out as a bowler, Rajat became a fine batter in his career. He also had to struggle with injuries but he is in fine form right now. Not many felt that he would do well but the player has overcome the odds to deliver for his franchise.
A great find for RCB
RCB has struggled with its No.3 spot for a while now. Now that Patidar has started doing well, the team’s batting line-up has become stronger. The management will hope that Patidar will retain his form for the next couple of games, as well.
