Rajat Patidar Steps In for Virat Kohli in IND vs ENG Test Series, Bolstering India’s Middle Order

In response to Virat Kohli’s absence from the initial two Tests, the Indian cricket team has enlisted the services of Rajat Patidar, who has swiftly joined the squad in Hyderabad. The middle-order batsman not only attended the BCCI Annual Awards on Tuesday evening but is poised to provide additional depth to the team in Kohli’s absence.

Kohli, citing personal reasons, opted for a break during the first two Tests, prompting speculation about his replacement. While Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul are slated for the middle order in the initial Test, concerns arose over the lack of backup in the squad, particularly in the event of a last-minute injury or the need for a concussion substitute.

Rajat Patidar, returning after an eight-month injury hiatus, emerged as the unanimous choice of the Indian team management and selectors. The Madhya Pradesh batsman, recognized for his composed temperament, typically occupies the No. 4 position and exhibits an assertive batting style, applying pressure on bowlers from the outset.

Crucially, Patidar’s selection is substantiated by his recent stellar performance, scoring 151 for India ‘A’ against England Lions last week. While Abhimanyu Easwaran was part of the South Africa tour, concerns linger about his form, particularly in critical knockout games in the Ranji Trophy.

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The inclusion of Patidar indicates a strategic decision to not consider Cheteshwar Pujara, despite his strong start in the Ranji Trophy with a double century. With Patidar joining the national squad, the selectors have named Rinku Singh as his replacement in the India ‘A’ squad. The addition of Patidar aims to fortify India’s middle order, ensuring a balanced and competitive team composition for the upcoming Test matches.