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Madhya Pradesh and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star batsman Rajat Patidar has started his Duleep Trophy campaign by smashing a century in the quarterfinal of the tournament.
Representing Central Zone, Patidar played a knock of 125 runs against North East Zone. Facing 96 deliveries, the right-hander smashed 21 boundaries and three maximums.
He was appointed the captain of the side, as wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel was ruled out of the competition.
NEZ won the toss and elected to field first and had their opponents at 4/1, with Aayush Pandey (3) dismissed by Akash Choudhary, the right-armed pacer.
At number three walked Danish Malewar, who had compiled 153 and 73 for Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final this season against Kerala in a winning effort. The 21-year-old put up a stand of 139 runs with wicketkeeper-batter Aryan Juyal (60 in 100 balls, with eight fours), and NEZ was left without answers to this onslaught.
After Juyal was retired hurt at 143/1, Patidar walked in to add to NEZ`s woes, having a double-century partnership with Malewar, who ended the day unbeaten at 198* in 219 balls, with 35 fours and a six, striking at above 90.
Central Zone ended their day at 432/2 in 77 overs, with Akash and Pheiroijam Jotin (1/56) getting a wicket each.
So far, Rajat Patidar has represented Team India in three Test matches and has scored 63 runs, with a top score of 32 runs. He has also played an ODI for the “Men in Blue”. In the sole 50-over match, he scored 22 runs.
He had a successful debut as captain, leading a star-studded RCB unit to their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title as a captain. This match was his first competitive game since the final against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in June.
Patidar had a decent season with the bat, scoring 312 runs in 14 innings with two fifties at an average of 24.00 and a strike rate of above 143. His leadership skills and equation with legendary batter Virat Kohli stood out in the tournament.
The 32-year-old has also played 68 First-Class matches, in which he has scored 4738 runs, with 13 centuries and 24 half-centuries. The right-hander has also played 64 List A games and has garnered 2211 runs. He also has four tons and 13 half-centuries in List A matches.
(With ANI Inputs)
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