Rajat Patidar continued his brilliant run in domestic cricket by scoring a commanding century in the final of the Duleep Trophy against South Zone. The right-handed batsman, who also scored a century in the quarter-final, displayed remarkable captaincy and batting skills, completing his 15th first-class century in just 112 balls, including 12 fours and 2 sixes.
A masterclass innings
Patidar came to the crease after early wickets and quickly took control of the innings. While Danish Malewar and Akshay Wadkar provided a solid start with a half-century partnership, Akshay was dismissed by Vasuki Kaushik, followed by Shubman Sharma’s dismissal for 6 runs by Gurjpanit Singh.
Patidar, undeterred, formed a century partnership with Yash Rathod, steadily building his team’s lead. He finally fell after reaching his century, caught by South Zone captain Azharuddin off Gurjpanit Singh’s bowling.
Consistent form in Duleep Trophy
Patidar has been in sublime form throughout the tournament, amassing 369 runs in four innings and topping the charts for most runs. His performance in the Duleep Trophy includes:
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125 off 96 balls in the Quarter-Final
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66 off 72 balls in the Quarter-Final
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77 off 84 balls in the Semi-Final
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101 off 115 balls in the Final
Future prospects
At 32, Rajat Patidar is recognized as one of India’s most talented batsmen. Though he struggled in limited international opportunities — scoring 63 runs in three Test matches against England and 22 in a lone ODI — his continued dominance in domestic cricket could pave the way for a return to the national team.
Patidar’s stellar innings in the Duleep Trophy not only demonstrates his skill but also his resilience and leadership, making him a standout figure in Indian domestic cricket.
