(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] The Indian team management has their hands on Rajat Patidar’s shoulders. Despite his poor run with the bat in the ongoing Test series against England, Patidar is likely to retain his place in the XI for the fifth match, commencing on March 7 in Dharamsala.
As reported by The Indian Express, the team management will back Rajat Patidar for one more game. This means Devdutt Padikkal, who came in as an injury replacement of KL Rahul, will not be handed his debut Test cap.
“The team wants Patidar to get one more chance as they feel Patidar has talent and it’s a matter of time before he gets runs. As India has already won the series, the team wants to try him out one more time instead of giving a debut to Devdutt Padikkal,” a BCCI source said as quoted to The Indian Express.
After Rahul got injured in the series-opener, Patidar made his Test debut in Vizag. In the three matches so far, the 30-year-old has managed to accumulate only 66 runs at an average of 10.60. He has also recorded two ducks.
There were reports circulating that if Rahul would have been fit to play the final Test of the series, Patidar would have been released from the squad to play the Ranji Trophy semi-final between Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha.