Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar

Role: Batsman

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm offbreak

Country: India

Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Player profile for Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar is a rising Indian cricketer known for his aggressive batting and versatility, primarily in the limited-overs formats. Born on June 1, 1993, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Patidar has made a significant impact in both domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), gaining recognition for his remarkable performances with the bat.

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Rajat Patidar
  • Date of Birth: June 1, 1993
  • Place of Birth: Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Batting Style: Right-handed
  • Bowling Style: Right-arm off-spin (occasional)
  • Role: Top-order batsman
  • Marital Status: Married to Gunjan Patidar (Married on July 7, 2022)

Early Life and Background:

Rajat Patidar hails from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and comes from a family with no major cricketing background. Patidar showed an early interest in cricket and began playing at the age of 9. Initially, he was a fast bowler but later transitioned to batting, a decision that would eventually lead to his success.

Patidar completed his schooling at New Digamber Public School in Indore and graduated from Guru Vashishtha College in Dewas. His dedication to cricket began at an early age, and he made significant progress in his junior cricket career, eventually getting selected for local and state-level cricket tournaments.

Domestic Career:

  • First-Class Debut: Rajat Patidar made his First-Class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 60 runs in his debut innings and following it up with a century in the second innings.
  • List-A Debut: Patidar made his List-A debut in December 2015 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Saurashtra, where he showcased his potential by scoring a half-century off just 40 balls.
  • T20 Debut: He debuted in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the premier T20 tournament for domestic teams in India, in January 2018 against Rajasthan, where he scored a quick-fire 38 runs off 26 balls.

Patidar’s consistent performances in domestic cricket earned him recognition, and he became a fixture in Madhya Pradesh’s middle order, often playing match-winning knocks.

Domestic Achievements:

  • Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2024-25): In the 2024-25 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Patidar led Madhya Pradesh to the final and played a crucial role in his team’s success, scoring 428 runs in 9 innings, including five half-centuries. His standout performance came in the final, where he remained unbeaten on 81 runs.
  • Captaincy: Patidar was appointed as the captain of Madhya Pradesh for the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he led his side to the final.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Career:

Rajat Patidar made his mark in the IPL with some remarkable performances, particularly in the 2022 season. Here’s a breakdown of his IPL career:

  • IPL 2021: Patidar was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2021 IPL auction at his base price of ₹20 lakhs. He played a few matches in the season and was a promising prospect, although he was not a regular starter at first.
  • IPL 2022: Rajat Patidar made a significant impact in the 2022 IPL season when he scored an unbeaten 112 runs off 54 balls in the Eliminator match against Lucknow Super Giants. This knock not only secured RCB’s place in the next round but also made Patidar the first uncapped player in IPL history to score a century in a playoff match. His innings was one of the most memorable in the history of the tournament.
  • 2023 IPL: Rajat Patidar continued to play for RCB in the 2023 season, contributing crucial runs in several matches. His consistency and ability to play under pressure cemented his place in the side.
  • Captaincy (2025 IPL): Ahead of the 2025 IPL season, Patidar was appointed as the captain of RCB, succeeding Faf du Plessis. This marked a significant milestone in his career, as he was entrusted with leading one of the most popular teams in the IPL.

International Career:

  • ODI Debut: Rajat Patidar made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India on December 21, 2023, against South Africa. He scored 22 runs off 16 balls in his debut match, showcasing his aggressive approach.
  • Test Debut: He made his Test debut for India on February 2, 2024, against England. Patidar scored 32 runs in the first innings and 9 runs in the second innings during his debut match, marking an encouraging start to his Test career.

Playing Style:

  • Batting: Rajat Patidar is known for his aggressive batting, especially in the shorter formats. He is a top-order batsman with the ability to play both traditional and modern strokes. His power-hitting and ability to take on bowlers from the outset make him a key asset in T20 cricket. In IPL 2022, Patidar’s fearless approach helped him break records and gain national attention.
  • Wicket-Keeping: Although not a primary wicket-keeper, Patidar is known to occasionally don the gloves, offering his team added flexibility.

Personal Life and Interests:

  • Family: Patidar comes from a middle-class family, with his father being a businessman and his mother a homemaker. He has an elder sister named Aarti.
  • Marriage: Rajat Patidar married Gunjan Patidar on July 7, 2022, in a grand ceremony in Indore.
  • Pets: He is also an avid animal lover and owns two pet dogs, which he often posts about on social media.

Conclusion:

Rajat Patidar is an emerging star in Indian cricket. His dynamic performances in both domestic cricket and the IPL, combined with his leadership role in Madhya Pradesh, have set him apart as a future prospect for Indian cricket. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with his aggressive batting style, makes him a vital asset to the Indian team and to IPL franchises like RCB. His rise from a domestic player to making his debut for India in both ODIs and Tests reflects his growth as a cricketer and his potential for future success.