RCB batsman Rajat Patidar showed his leadership and batting prowess with an impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) semi-final against Delhi at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Delhi, who batted first, were restricted to 146/5 in their 20 overs. Venkatesh Iyer excelled with the ball for Madhya Pradesh, taking two wickets, while Avesh Khan contributed one.

In response, Madhya Pradesh got off to a shaky start and suffered an early blow when Arpit Gaud was dismissed on the first ball of the innings. Subhranshu Senapati followed soon after, leaving the team in a precarious position. However, captain Rajat Patidar came in at number 4 and took charge of the innings.

Also Read: ‘He’s just A’: Ajinkya Rahane reveals the secret behind becoming a T20 monster ahead of IPL 2025

Rajat Patidar’s revolutionary coup

Patidar first steadied the ship by building a crucial 26-run partnership with Harsh Gawli, who contributed 30 runs before being dismissed. From there, Patidar unleashed a counter-attacking masterclass, combining with Harpreet Singh to dominate the Delhi players.

Patidar’s aggressive strokeplay surprised his opponents as he scored 66 off just 29 balls, including four boundaries and six towering sixes. His fearless approach turned the game around.

Also Read: Pakistan star once again announces shocking end to career after reversing retirement ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

The unbeaten 106-run partnership between Patidar and Harpreet Singh sealed victory for Madhya Pradesh, who chased down the target with 7 wickets in hand and 4.2 overs to spare.

Patidar’s innings not only secured a place for Madhya Pradesh in the final, where they will face Mumbai, but also highlighted his ability to lead from the front under pressure.

With performances like this, Rajat Patidar has strengthened his case to be a strong contender for the captaincy of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025. His consistent displays and leadership skills in domestic cricket make him a leading candidate for the position .

For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram and YouTube.