The career of Rajat Patidar is filled with twists that led him to the cusp of a Test debut. As a young player, he aspired to be a fast bowler, but an ACL injury in 2014 forced him to transition to batting. Now, a decade later, he’s in line to make his Test debut as a middle-order batter due to the unavailability of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. This progression comes after his recovery from an Achilles injury that kept him away from the game for eight months.
Reflecting on his journey, Patidar expressed his happiness at receiving the call-up to the Test team, mentioning that playing Test cricket for the country has always been his biggest dream. His recent form has been remarkable, particularly in a first-class outing where he scored 151 runs against England Lions. This performance earned him a spot in the Test squad and an opportunity to interact with key players like Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma.
Patidar is known for his aggressive yet consistent style of play and his ability to handle spin well. He attributes his success to his preparedness and study of opposition bowlers and experienced players like Rohit Sharma. Additionally, he draws inspiration from observing the techniques of players like Virat Kohli.
Another uncapped player, Sarfaraz Khan, has also made it to the Test group after an exceptional run in first-class cricket. With a first-class average of 82.40, Sarfaraz has patiently waited for his call-up and is thrilled to have earned the opportunity. His journey echoes a similar sentiment to that of Patidar, with a strong family influence and a deep-rooted dream of representing India at the highest level.
Both players are now set to fulfill a lifelong aspiration as they prepare to make their Test debuts for India, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing careers.
