With Virat Kohli missing the first two Tests, India have called up Rajat Patidar to the squad. The middle-order batsman has already linked-up with the Indian team in Hyderabad and even attended the BCCI Annual Awards on Tuesday evening.
After Kohli requested a break for the first two Tests citing personal reasons, all eyes were on the selection committee as to who they will name as a replacement. Though Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will make India’s middle-order in the first Test, there was no other back up batsman in the squad in case of a last minute injury or to use as a concussion substitute.
It is understood that Patidar, who returned after spending nearly 8 months with an injury, was Indian team management and selectors unanimous choice. The Madhya Pradesh batsman, who is known for his temperament, is used to batting at No.4 and in domestic circuit comes across as an assertive batsman, who likes to put pressure on bowlers from the word go.
More importantly, Patidar has made it to the Test squad on the back of scoring a 151 for India ‘A’ against England Lions last week. Though Abhimanyu Easwaran was part of the team in South Africa, there are still apprehensions about him as he hasn’t scored in crucial knockout games in Ranji Trophy.
The inclusion of Patidar means India are not looking at Cheteshwar Pujara, who started the Ranji Trophy with a double century. And with Patidar joining the national squad, the selectors have included Rinku Singh as his replacement in India ‘A’ squad.
