(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] It has not been a smooth sailing for Rajat Patidar, who finally sits close of making his debut in international cricket for India.
After Patidar scored a blistering hundred in Eliminator 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, he received his maiden international call-up for the South Africa ODIs in the same year. But he did not receive the opportunity to play a single match.
An Achilles injury ruled him out of the IPL 2023, further denting his chances of the India dream. However, the destiny had a surprise for Patidar as he got picked in the squad for the upcoming ODI series scheduled against the Proteas.
Speaking after his recent selection, Patidar shared that he has started to believe in destiny but at the same time, he emphasised on focusing on the present.
“Ab thoda bahut believe karta hun destiny main (Now, I believe in destiny a bit), I try not to think too much into what’s written in destiny. I try to stay in the present. It feels very good to get another chance with the India set up after the surgery,” Patidar said as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Reflecting on his career-changing knock versus the Lucknow Super Giants, the 30-year-old opened up on his feeling prior to the game, stating that he made a strategy to pick the bowlers, which he thought he could attack easily.
“Before the hundred (112* off 54 balls vs LSG), I had scored 52 against GT. That’s when I felt maybe I could score a hundred in IPL. I had said that to our coach Sanjay Bangar. I was getting out in the 12th over. I knew if I chose the bowlers more smartly, I would be able to do it,” he added.
Talking about his injury, Patidar revealed that he still has not fully recovered but things are looking good for him. He also spoke on various facets of his game, asserting that his batting style does not change much irrespective of the format.
“It’s the main tendon in the body and takes a year-and-a-half to heal completely. It’s been 6-7 months so far. The doctor has told me that I can play and the heel with slowly get used to the ground conditions. There is some pain. But I had played for three years with pain (before surgery). So, I know I can manage. It plays on your mind initially when you enter the crease before your body has warmed up; once it does, you don’t feel that much.
“In a day match, I have to cut down on my bat speed. My natural game is slightly attacking. But I rely more on timing. I try to understand my game and play accordingly. Shot selection is something I visualize and analyse a lot before changing formats. From watching top players one thing I have learnt is that the consistent players never have to change their game too much in T20. They back their cricketing shots and find a way to score,” Patidar mentioned.