Credit: IPL
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar has revealed how he felt when the franchise didn’t pick him up in the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in 2022. Patidar, who is currently leading Challengers, was assured by RCB that he would be picked up in the auction but the franchise couldn’t keep their promise, which didn't sit well him at all.
"I had got a message (ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022) that you should be ready... that we will pick you. I had a little hope that I would get another chance (to play for RCB). But I wasn't picked in the mega auction. I was a little sad," revealed Patidar on an RCB podcast ahead of the game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Rajat Patidar was approached to join RCB 2022 mid season when Luvnith Sisodia got injured. However, the Madhya Pradesh batter wasn’t excited to make a comeback in the squad as he felt the team won’t give him the opportunity in the playing XI. “I (had) started playing in my local matches in Indore (after not getting picked in the auction). Then, I got a call that 'we are picking you as a replacement for Luvnith Sisodia', who was injured. To tell you frankly, I didn't want to come as a replacement because I knew that I wouldn't get a chance to play there, and I always feel that I don't want to sit there (in the dugout),” he remarked.
Patidar also divulged that he was angry for a moment due to RCB’s shattered promise in the auction. “I wasn't angry. It was like, if they didn't pick me (during the auction), then I won't get it (get to play). I was angry for a while but then I was normal,” he added.
Rajat Patidar’s sensational knock against LSG in IPL 2022 Eliminator
After returning to RCB in 2022, he proved his worth in the colossal Eliminator game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) held at the iconic Eden Gardens. Taking LSG’s bowling unit to the cleaners, Patidar smashed his maiden and only IPL ton. Riding on his unbeaten 112 off 54, Bengaluru beat Lucknow by 14 runs and got the chance to play Qualifier 2.
Talking about Patidar’s performance this season, he has scored 239 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 140.59. However, as captain, he has looked confident thus far. With eight wins in 11 matches, RCB are in the second spot on the points tally under the 31-year-old’s leadership.
