Despite scoring three centuries in his first five Ranji Trophy matches, Rajat Patidar feels his first season for Madhya Pradesh has been an average one
Arun Venugopal05-Feb-2016Maiden first-class season, ten innings, three hundreds and one fifty. Rajat Patidar, the Madhya Pradesh No.3, still maintains it is an “average” start to his career. The sequence of his scores reads: 60, 101, 113, 40, 20, 5, 26, 9, 17 and 137. What irks him is the “flop” show in three or four innings – the unconverted starts and the single-digit scores.”I was expecting to score more,” Patidar says. “My thinking is when you get an opportunity you should not let go of it. [this hasn’t been a great season; it’s been ok. It could have been better]. Despite having scored a century that has effectively put Bengal out of the quarter-final, he was disappointed at not having made an even bigger score.Whatever his self-deprecatory tone may suggest there can be no denying his impact on Madhya Pradesh’s performances. On debut against Baroda in Vadodara, Patidar found himself at the crease in the first over after Aditya Shrivastava lasted only five balls. MP were soon down to 4 for 2, and Patidar, having replaced Udit Birla, knuckled down and eked out 60 off 154 balls to calm the team’s nerves.Having conceded a 27-run lead, MP had to make the play and set a target, and give their bowlers enough time to bowl out Baroda. This time a different Patidar turned up to hammer a 127-ball 101 and set Baroda a target of 262, which they fell short of by 87 runs. It was MP’s first outright win of the season, and they went on to another victory in their very next game against Railways, again due to Patidar.In the manner he puts a simplistic spin on his adaptability and the nonchalance in saying it – “I just practice in the nets” – he reminds you of Shikhar Dhawan from a few years ago. When you press him further, his answers suggest purposeful practice. “Whenever I practice I don’t let my mind drift. I give it 100%,” he says. “I try to create scenarios, and try not to think too much. I just play the ball.” Patidar is big on video analysis too, taking in information about his dismissals and trying to ensure he doesn’t get out in the same manner next time.Hailing from a fairly affluent family of businessmen who deal in manufacturing machines like pump sets, Patidar was encouraged by his grandfather and father to play competitive cricket. There was no indication of his batting prowess then, as he earned a call-up to the Under-15s Indore division side as a specialist offspinner. Despite Patidar having played as low as even No.11, his coach felt there was greater batting potential in him and promoted him higher up the order. With greater success, he continued to move up and evolved into a full-fledged batsman. Except for a few overs in the nets, he rarely bowls these days.Patidar’s learning received a further boost when he came in contact with former India batsman Amay Khurasiya at the MPCA Academy in Indore. “He has played a huge role in my life,” Patidar says. “He has been my main coach, and I have learnt a lot from him.” When he goes back to talking about his “average” performances you get a better glimpse of how his mind works.”I set bigger targets than what is expected of me,” he says. “I have scored three centuries and a half-century but there has been a big gap between [innings]. My main aim is to be as consistent as I can be.” When asked if he expects to score a hundred every game, his reply is spontaneous: ” [yes, exactly].”Patidar says he has benefited from a “motivational” book he was recommended by his team-mates, but couldn’t remember the title when asked. However, there is nothing that has motivated him towards business or academics right from the outset.”I have always been interested only in cricket. I look up to Rahul Dravid, and a few of my team-mates like [Devendra Bundela] Bunde bhai, Naman [Ojha] bhai and Ishwar [Pandey] bhai for inspiration.”What is it though that contributes to his relaxed approach on the field? “Sleeping,” replies. “I like to chill out by sleeping. I don’t even like going out much.”
