Virat Kohli is replaced by Rajat Patidar for the first two test matches against England
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Virat Kohli misses first two tests due to injury
Virat Kohli Replace by Rajat Patidar : India has called up Rajat Patidar to the team after Virat Kohli missed the first two Test matches due to injury. The middle-order batsman attended the BCCI Annual Awards on Tuesday night and has already connected with the Indian squad in Hyderabad.
Following Kohli’s request for a personal leave of absence from the first two Test matches, everyone was waiting to see who the selection committee will choose to replace him.
In the first Test, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul would bat in the middle order for India, but there was no other backup hitter in the team to deploy as a substitution for a concussion or in case of an injury at the last minute.
Patidar is chosen because of his attitude and form.
It is known that Indian team management and selectors unanimously decided on Patidar, who made his comeback after missing over eight months due to injury.
Known for his attitude, the Madhya Pradesh batsman is accustomed to playing at number four. He has an aggressive style of play on the domestic circuit, preferring to put pressure on bowlers right away.
More significantly, Patidar’s inclusion in the Test team is a result of his 151-run performance for India ‘A’ against the England Lions last week.
Even though Abhimanyu Easwaran played for the squad in South Africa, there are still concerns about him since he hasn’t scored in significant Ranji Trophy knockout matches.
Rajat Patidar has reportedly joined the Indian team in Hyderabad 🇮🇳🏏#INDvsENG #RajatPatidar #ViratKohli #BCCI #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/bj6xT4o6Mr
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) January 24, 2024
His long-awaited debut
Patidar has been a factor in the equation for some time now. He would have made his debut much sooner if it weren’t for an Achilles heel injury that necessitated surgery and kept him out of the game for over eight months.
When he was selected for the third ODI against South Africa in Paarl, the 30-year-old received his India cap at last. He opened the batting and scored an easy 22.
His versatility and consistency
Patidar, who has experience batting in the middle order, is renowned for his poise and ability to score runs swiftly against both speed and spin.
With an average of 52.50 and an impressive strike rate of 104.30, he scored 315 runs in six innings during his respectable Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign the previous year. His first-class average of 46 in 55 games is proof of his skill with the red ball.
India will no longer be looking at Cheteshwar Pujara, who opened the Ranji Trophy with a double century, because to the inclusion of Patidar.
Additionally, Rinku Singh has been added to the India ‘A’ team by the selectors as Patidar’s replacement when he joins the national squad.
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