IPL 2022: Rajat Patidar – From unsold player to Lucknow Super Giants slayer | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: When Rajat Manohar Patidar came to the crease at No. 3, after Royal Challengers Bangalore lost their captain Faf Du Plessis for a duck, no one would have thought that the 28-year-old from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, had arrived at the crease to script history.
Patidar, who was incredibly ignored by the franchises in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, scored an unbeaten century (112*) and powered the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a massive 207/4 in their 20 overs against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. In reply, LSG fell short of the enormous target and lost the battle by 14 runs.
The 28-year-old batsman launched an attack from the word go, tonking the LSG bowlers all over the park. He smashed 12 fours and 7 sixes in his 54-ball whirlwind knock. He remained unbeaten on 112.
Once RCB finished their 20 overs and posted 207 on the board, a calm and composed Patidar was welcomed, applauded and got a standing ovation by the entire RCB squad, including Virat Kohli.
PATIDAR – WENT UNSOLD IN LAST PLAYER AUCTION BUT DELIVERED LIKE A PRO
Patidar was part of the RCB side in the 2021 season. He was bought for Rs 20 lakh. He played 4 matches for RCB, scoring 71 runs at an average of 17.75.
In the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, when Patidar’s name was called by the auctioneer, no franchise showed interest in Madhya Pradesh’s star batsman. In fact, RCB too ignored him.
Later, he was signed as an injury replacement for Luvnith Sisodia.
Madhya Pradesh’s domestic bulwark has 2588 runs in 39 first-class matches and 1136 runs in 38 T20 matches under his belt so far. He was the leading run-scorer for Madhya Pradesh in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy, with 713 runs in 8 matches.
In the IPL, Patidar got to share the dressing room with the likes of Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik, Glenn Maxwell, and many more. All he was waiting for was an opportunity. When it arrived, he grabbed it with both hands.
Patidar, who is known to play the new ball with ease, took his time before he unleashed an onslaught at the iconic Eden Gardens. He in fact notched up the fastest century by an uncapped player in the history of the tournament.
He also became the fourth uncapped Indian player to score a century in IPL history. Paul Valthaty (120* – PBKS vs CSK in 2011) Manish Pandey (114* – RCB vs Deccan Chargers in 2009), Devdutt Padikkal (101* – RCB vs RR in 2021) are the other three.
Patidar also became the fifth batsman and the first uncapped player in IPL history to score a century in the playoffs. Virender Sehwag (122 – PBKS vs CSK in Q2 in 2014), Shane Watson (117* – CSK vs SRH in the final in 2018), Wriddhiman Saha (115* – PBKS vs KKR in the final in 2014) and Murali Vijay (113 – CSK vs DC in Q2 in 2012) are the other four who have done this in the past.
“RAJAT PATIDAR – Party Daar” – Cricket icons hail the MP batsman
From the legendary batsman Virender Sehwag to batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Patidar drew praise from all corners