With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bidding adieu to Test cricket, India’s batting lineup is due for a revamp. While the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy showed promise under Shubman Gill’s leadership, there are still a couple of spots for the taking. While India are currently giving a longer rope to Sai Sudharsan, another slot in the lower-middle-order open. While the talks of Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair and Sarfaraz Khan are recurring, another player has banged the doors of a possible Test comeback. It is none other than Rajat Patidar, who has continued his dream run in domestic cricket.
Rajat Patidar slams maiden double century
If Team India stays true to its word for rewarding the Indian domestic performances, Rajat Patidar should be at the front of the line. He is on a purple patch. Just recently, in the ongoing first round of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Patidar has slammed a terrific double century. Playing his first match as full-time captain for Madhya Pradesh, Patidar dominated the Punjab unit and scripted history.
On an Indore pitch where Punjab struggled their way to make 232, Patidar played a blinder of an innings, rallying his team and walking the talk. He came to bat at number five when MP lost three wickets at 98. But what followed was a frustrating phase of play for Punjab as Patidar stitched five 50+ partnerships. Rajat Patidar continued his unbeaten century from Day 2, fighting hard with the tail-enders to push Madhya Pradesh’s lead beyond 250, after Punjab were bowled out for 232.
Unlike his usual attacking innings, this was more measured and traditional. Without hitting a single six but walloping 26 boundaries, Patidar was on song and scripted a sensational double century. At the time of writing, he is still unbeaten at 205 and has added 95 runs for the last wicket alongside Arshad Khan (60*).
Patidar’s dream run continues to get better
2025 has been Patidar’s year. After he took Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) Final in December last year, Patidar was elevated to the captaincy of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Given the fandom it carries, captaining RCB is probably one of the toughest tasks. But Patidar said, ‘Pressure? What pressure?’ as RCB fulfilled the hearts of millions by finally lifting their maiden IPL trophy.
While Patidar’s campaign was hindered due to an injury, he still stood strong and fought his way through. Then after a brief break, he returned at the Duleep Trophy with aplomb. In the Duleep Trophy 2025 final, Central Zone captain Rajat Patidar rose to the occasion with a commanding century (101 off 115 balls) against South Zone. Walking in at 74 for 2, Patidar anchored the innings, stitching a 153-run partnership with Yash Rathod that wrestled momentum in Central’s favour and Patidar won the title as the captain.
That was Patidar’s second century in the tournament and his fourth consecutive 50-plus score. Talk about consistency. His earlier 125 in the quarter-final against North Zone was a masterclass, built at a strike rate of 130.20, while his 77 in the semi-final against West Zone came against a high-quality bowling attack. In total, Patidar piled up 382 runs in five innings at an incredible average of 76.40, easily the standout performer of the tournament.
What’s more, his leadership was equally impactful. From field placements to bowling rotations, Patidar led with authority. Mind you, he wasn’t selected as the captain of the Central Zone initially, as the BCCI selectors chose Dhruv Jurel. However, due to Jurel being injured, Patidar got the opportunity to lead.
Test comeback soon for RCB captain?
Rajat Patidar got his maiden Test debut in a home series against England in 2024. However, he batted unlike himself and was diffident. The big occasion got big on Patidar as he endured a tough series, scoring just 63 runs in six outings. An ankle injury sidelined him afterwards. However, he has batted phenomenally in the format. In 73 first-class matches, he has amassed 5,401 runs at an average above 46, including 15 centuries and 27 fifties, and now a double ton too.
His premature exit seemed to have shut the door, but the current vacuum in India’s middle order has reopened the conversation. With Kohli and Rohit gone, selectors are actively searching for batters who combine solidity with intent. Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair have been tested but not yet convinced, while Devdutt Padikkal looks ahead as of now. Amidst this, Patidar’s form is hard to ignore, with India’s next Test series coming up in less than a month. South Africa are touring India for two Tests and Patidar would have a few more chances to pile up more runs so that Ajit Agarkar doesn’t have any excuses to keep him out of the reckoning.
Rajat Patidar recent scores in domestic cricket
125 & 66, 77, 101 & 13, 66 & 10, 205*
