IPL 2022 | Rajat Patidar | A one-season wonder or a horse for the long run?

In the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a new star was born at the Eden Gardens for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Rajat Patidar was the chief architect of RCB's win with a brilliant century. 

He became the talk of the town overnight. But over the years, IPL has witnessed a few too many players who have given outstanding performances in one season and then disappeared from the scheme of things. 

So, in this article, we try and find out if Rajat Patidar will be one of those one-season wonders or will he be able to grind his way to the big stage; will he be a horse in the long run?

Before we delve further into discussions, let us look at Patidar's performance in the 15th edition of the tournament.

Innings: 7 Runs: 333 Balls Faced: 218 Strike Rate: 152.75 Balls Per Boundary: 4.84 Balls Per Dismissal: 36.33 50s: 2 100s: 1

Patidar's performances in the season have been more than impressive. He has been the man who has set up the matches for his team while batting in the middle-order. He played two outstanding knocks in the Eliminator and the Qualifier 2 for the team. Let us take a look at the two knocks of Patidar.

Eliminator: Patidar came out to bat in the very first over of the match. Faf was dismissed when the score of the team was just four runs. Patidar was under pressure as a loss in the match would have meant RCB's exit from the tournament.

But Patidar played a brilliant knock of 112 runs off 54 deliveries. Hitting 12 fours and seven sixes during his stay. But besides the number of runs, the significance of the inning lies in the way it was executed. Let us take a look at his progress in the innings.

Patidar's SR vs LSG

It was a counter-attacking knock, which is evident from the table. However, Rajat never allowed the pressure to get better of him and went all guns blazing.

Let us take a look at his innings in Qualifier 2

Qualifier 2: A place in the finals was up for grabs, and once again, RCB lost a crucial wicket in the form of Virat Kohli very early. Patidar walked in when the score was nine runs in 1.5 overs. Wickets kept tumbling at the other end, but Patidar looked resolute and determined. He played a knock of 58 runs from 42 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Let us look at how he built his innings.

Patidar's SR vs RR

Patidar's innings were an example of his composure and maturity as a batter. He adjusted himself according to the match situation throughout the innings and progressed accordingly.

Conclusion: Rajat Patidar has shown the elements of a batter who cannot be unnerved easily. Besides, the dynamism in his batting is a treat to watch. He also has the ability to adjust himself according to the demand of the hour. Of course, the other teams will work more on him and try to find out his weak points with time. But the maturity he has shown on the field in IPL 2022, he is sure to overcome those hiccups if he can maintain this level of maturity. A blend of maturity, composure, and aggression in the perfect proportions, Patidar looks like the horse for the long race.