Madhya Pradesh skipper Rajat Patidar put on a stunning show with an unbeaten 132, leading his team to a remarkable victory over Bengal in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The game, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, saw Patidar rise to the occasion right when his side needed him the most.
Madhya Pradesh Stumble Early, Patidar Steadies the Ship
Chasing Bengal’s competitive total of 269/7, Madhya Pradesh found themselves in deep trouble at 2/2. The early blows could have derailed their chase, but Patidar had other plans. Walking in under immense pressure, he showcased his experience and composure.
Patidar stitched a crucial 185-run partnership with Shubham Sharma, who narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 99. The duo’s stand laid a strong foundation for MP’s chase. Patidar then added another valuable 79-run stand with Subhransu Senapati, ensuring the team’s victory.
Patidar’s Fourth List A Century
Patidar’s knock of 132* came off 137 balls and included eight fours and a six. This was his fourth century in List A cricket, taking his overall tally to 2,211 runs in the format. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when required proved vital for MP’s success.
Patidar has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket. He started his Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign with a solid 55-run knock against Bihar. However, his form dipped in the next few matches, with scores of 2 and 13 against Tripura and Baroda. The unbeaten 132* against Bengal marked a timely return to form.
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In the ongoing campaign, Patidar has amassed 225 runs across six innings, averaging 45. His leadership and batting prowess have been instrumental in Madhya Pradesh’s progress.
Impressive Show in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Patidar also had a stellar outing in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He helped MP reach the final with consistent performances throughout the tournament.
Notably, Patidar scored an unbeaten 81 off just 40 balls in the SMAT final against Mumbai. His knock, featuring six fours and six sixes, came at a strike rate of 202.50. Though MP fell short in the final, Patidar’s performance stood out.
In the SMAT season, he accumulated 428 runs across 10 matches at an average of 61.14. He registered five half-centuries and smashed 32 fours and 27 sixes.
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