• Rajat Patidar recalled receiving a message from Virat Kohli after his selection in Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

  • Patidar has successfully regained his form after struggling initially in IPL 2024.

IPL 2024: Rajat Patidar reminisces about Virat Kohli’s message upon RCB inclusion
Rajat Patidar on Virat Kohli (PC-Twitter)

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Rajat Patidar has emerged as a crucial middle-order batter for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Despite a challenging season for RCB, having lost seven out of eight matches thus far, Patidar has shown resilience, notching up two half-centuries as he seeks to rediscover his form.

Initially struggling to find his rhythm, Patidar has steadily improved, amassing 161 runs in eight matches at a commendable strike rate of 161. The right-handed batter recently shared the supportive message he received from Virat Kohli upon being selected to represent RCB in the IPL. Notably, Patidar was bought by RCB in the 2021 IPL auction for INR 20 lakhs.

Virat Kohli’s message to Rajat Patidar on IPL selection unveiled

During the interview on the show RCB Bold Diaries, Patidar shared his joy at being selected for the team and disclosed receiving a message from Virat back then. He revealed that Virat messaged him, “Hi, I am Virat Kohli,” and recalled how he silently thought to himself, “Virat bhaiya ka message aaya bas ho gaya,” signifying his contentment.

Here is the video:

Also READ: IPL 2024: Here’s why Virat Kohli’s dismissal against KKR wasn’t given a no-ball

Rajat Patidar’s IPL journey so far

although Patidar was bought by RCB in the 2021 IPL auction for INR 20 lakhs, he only played four games, managing to score 71 runs. Subsequently, RCB released him. However, he returned as a replacement in the mid-season of IPL 2022.

On May 25, 2022, during the Eliminator match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Patidar played a match-winning knock, scoring 112* (54). He ended the 2022 season with 333 runs in just 8 matches, averaging 55.50, including a century and two half-centuries. He was retained by RCB for the 2023 IPL season but missed the entire season due to injury. In total, Patidar played 20 matches in IPL, scoring 565 runs with a strike rate of 149.

Also READ: IPL 2024: AB de Villiers shares his opinion on Virat Kohli’s controversial dismissal against KKR

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VISHESH SHUKLA
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