Rajat Patidar Surpasses 5,000 First-Class Runs with Stellar Form

Central Zone captain Rajat Patidar has reached a significant milestone in his cricket career by surpassing 5,000 runs in First-Class cricket. This achievement came during his impressive innings of 77 runs against West Zone in the semi-finals of the Duleep Trophy held in Bengaluru. Patidar’s performance has solidified his place as one of the standout players of the tournament, as he recorded his third consecutive score of over 50 runs.

Patidar’s innings took place when Central Zone was well-positioned at 160 for 2 in response to West Zone’s first innings total of 438. He formed a formidable partnership with Shubham Sharma, contributing to a crucial 127-run stand for the third wicket. Patidar’s aggressive batting included 14 boundaries and showcased his ability to dominate the bowling attack before he was dismissed by Dharmendrasinh Jadeja on the third day of play.

With his latest performance, Patidar’s aggregate in First-Class cricket stands at 5,006 runs after playing his 70th match. His batting average exceeds 44, bolstered by an impressive tally of 14 centuries and 26 half-centuries, according to ESPNcricinfo. His ability to score quickly was also evident in the quarter-final match against North East Zone, where he scored a remarkable 125 runs off just 96 balls, followed by a half-century of 66 runs off 72 balls.

Impressive Domestic Performance

In the recently concluded 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, Patidar demonstrated consistent form, accumulating 529 runs across seven matches. His performance included an average of 48.09 and a strike rate of 77. Notably, he achieved the fifth-fastest century in Ranji Trophy history, reaching his hundred in just 68 balls during a match against Haryana.

Patidar’s rise in domestic cricket led to his selection for the Indian Test squad last year. He made his Test debut against England in February 2024 in Visakhapatnam. Despite the anticipation surrounding his debut, he struggled to find form, accumulating only 63 runs in three Tests at an average of 10.50, with his highest score being 32. Following this performance, he was dropped from the Test squad.

Patidar’s recent achievements in the Duleep Trophy and his overall domestic performance highlight his potential as a significant contributor to Indian cricket. As he continues to build on his First-Class career, players and fans alike will be keen to see how he develops further on the international stage.