The 30-year-old Rajat Patidar finds himself in the Indian Test squad against England. While the chances of him securing a spot in the playing eleven seem slim, it underscores the strength of India's domestic cricket structure in nurturing seasoned professionals.
Patidar's journey from impressing Chandrakant Pandit in the Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh to holding his own alongside Virat Kohli in high-pressure IPL encounters speaks volumes about his consistency and temperament. But what sets him apart from other domestic contenders? According to Vijay Dahiya, a seasoned coach and commentator, the key lies in Patidar's ability to convert starts into big hundreds.
"Rajat knows how to make big hundreds. It is one thing having the hunger but completely different while executing the plan. If someone is scoring 151 out of a team's total of 227 (India A vs England Lions), he is an above average player. He has a lot of time while playing bowlers in the 140-click range because he sees the ball early and plays it late," Dahiya was quoted as saying by TOI.
Patidar's stature might not be towering, but his upright stance and precise understanding of his off-stump make him stand out. Dahiya emphasised the importance of batters having a bit of extra time, enabling them to wield a diverse range of strokes.
In the selection debate between Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan, Dahiyaexplained that despite Sarfaraz having a higher average and more runs per game, Patidar's proficiency against fast bowling gives him the edge.
Don't mix red ball and white ball game: Dahiya
The debate on the impact of excessive domestic cricket on player development is not new. Dahiya acknowledges the potential for bad habits to form but argues that exposure to higher levels, such as the IPL and India A, helps players understand the demands of the next tier.
"I agree you don't mix red ball and white ball game but IPL gives you an idea how you fare against top players. Rajat scored a hundred in IPL play-off in a tricky situation whereas Sarfaraz's struggles against quick bowling is for everyone to see," he added.
As Patidar stands at the threshold of his Test debut, the question of whether he can make a successful transition lingers. Dahiya, however, believes in his potential.
"Rajat is 30 plus and he knows that unlike a youngster who might have a second coming, this is the only chance he will get if he gets it. He wouldn't want to waste it. He has the game for elite level."
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