In a significant development leading up to the highly anticipated Test series between India and England, the Indian cricket team has made a key change to its squad.
With the iconic Virat Kohli opting out of the first two Tests due to personal reasons, the team management has swiftly called upon the services of middle-order batsman Rajat Patidar to fill the void.
Rajat Patidar, who recently marked his return to the cricketing arena after an eight-month hiatus due to injury, has seamlessly integrated himself into the Indian squad currently stationed in Hyderabad.
The news of his inclusion comes on the heels of Kohli’s request for a break, prompting the selection committee to deliberate on a suitable replacement.
Amidst the trio of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul expected to anchor India’s middle-order in the initial Test, the absence of a backup batsman raised concerns, particularly for last-minute injuries or the need for a concussion substitute.
Rajat Patidar emerged as the unanimous and strategic choice for the team management and selectors, drawing confidence from his reputation for resilience and assertiveness in the middle order.
The Madhya Pradesh batsman, known for his aggressive approach against bowlers, has a penchant for applying pressure right from the outset, especially in domestic circuits.
What further solidified Patidar’s selection was his recent stellar performance, notching an impressive 151 for India ‘A’ against England Lions just last week. This standout innings played a pivotal role in securing his spot in the Test squad.
Despite the presence of Abhimanyu Easwaran in the squad during the South Africa series, the selectors expressed reservations due to his lack of substantial scores in critical knockout games during the Ranji Trophy.
In a strategic move, the team management opted for Patidar over considering Cheteshwar Pujara, who commenced the Ranji Trophy with a notable double century.
Patidar’s inclusion signifies a proactive approach to bolster the team’s middle-order dynamics for the challenges posed by the English side.
Simultaneously, with Patidar joining the national squad, the selectors have ensured squad depth by including Rinku Singh as his replacement in the India ‘A’ squad.
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