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Rajat Patidar has emerged as a crucial middle-order batter for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Despite a challenging season for RCB, having lost seven out of eight matches thus far, Patidar has shown resilience, notching up two half-centuries as he seeks to rediscover his form.
Initially struggling to find his rhythm, Patidar has steadily improved, amassing 161 runs in eight matches at a commendable strike rate of 161. The right-handed batter recently shared the supportive message he received from Virat Kohli upon being selected to represent RCB in the IPL. Notably, Patidar was bought by RCB in the 2021 IPL auction for INR 20 lakhs.
Virat Kohli’s message to Rajat Patidar on IPL selection unveiled
During the interview on the show RCB Bold Diaries, Patidar shared his joy at being selected for the team and disclosed receiving a message from Virat back then. He revealed that Virat messaged him, “Hi, I am Virat Kohli,” and recalled how he silently thought to himself, “Virat bhaiya ka message aaya bas ho gaya,” signifying his contentment.
Here is the video:
Rajat Patidar and Eden Gardens: A match made in heaven
On @bigbasket_com presents Bold Diaries, Rajat tells us how his childhood dreams came true after that career defining knock in 2022 for RCB.#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/5hE9TYGOvl
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 22, 2024
Also READ: IPL 2024: Here’s why Virat Kohli’s dismissal against KKR wasn’t given a no-ball
Rajat Patidar’s IPL journey so far
although Patidar was bought by RCB in the 2021 IPL auction for INR 20 lakhs, he only played four games, managing to score 71 runs. Subsequently, RCB released him. However, he returned as a replacement in the mid-season of IPL 2022.
On May 25, 2022, during the Eliminator match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Patidar played a match-winning knock, scoring 112* (54). He ended the 2022 season with 333 runs in just 8 matches, averaging 55.50, including a century and two half-centuries. He was retained by RCB for the 2023 IPL season but missed the entire season due to injury. In total, Patidar played 20 matches in IPL, scoring 565 runs with a strike rate of 149.