By Mayank Meliwar and Bhavya Chand
Indore, July 2 (UNI) Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star Rajat Patidar, who spearheaded the Madhya Pradesh's batting in the Ranji Trophy final that made them thoroughly deserving Ranji title, has asserted that "he focuses only on things that are in his control."
Patidar, who scored a 49 ball century against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2022 IPL eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, initially went unsold in the mega auction as no franchise showed interest in acquiring his services, including his previous team RCB.
However, destiny has its own plans for the 29-year-old as Faf du Plessis' side signed him as an injury replacement for Luvnith Sisodia.
Speaking about being ignored at mega auction Patidar told UNI, "I didn't pay much attention to things that were not in my control and rather, I paid much focus on 'my practice, my preparation' which is in my control."
In seven innings of eight matches, he scored 333 runs at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 152.75.
The right hand batsman redeemed himself from the rejection and scored 112 off 54 balls -- quickest by any uncapped player in IPL history.
"I just played my game and I enjoyed it. There was nothing like I had to prove something," he said when asked to comment on showing his metal through the incredible century.
Patidar was part of the RCB outfit in 2021 and played 4 games for the franchise, with a highest score of 71.
Continuing his scintillating form in the Ranji Trophy, the Madhya Pradesh cricketer finished as the second-highest scorer in the premier domestic tournament scoring 658 runs at a stunning average of 82.25 from 9 innings in games.
In the summit clash, the crowd at Chinnaswamy stadium welcomed the right-hand batter by chanting RCB...RCB...RCB, to which Patidar said, "It felt very nice when you see so many supporters come out and cheer for you.
He scored a winning run for his side on the cusp of their historic Ranji Trophy triumph against 41-time champions Mumbai.
Speaking on MP's historic win, Patidar said: "It's a big achievement for MP to win for the first time in Ranji. The team was constantly preparing for this win."
Besides, the man who is truly behind the history triumph was none other than coach Chandrakant Pandit, who had some unfinished business at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
In the 1998-99 season, Chadrakant was a captain of Madhya Pradesh and his team missed a winning chance in the Ranji Trophy final against host Karnataka.
Speaking on Chandrakant Pandit’s teachings as coach, Patidar said: "I have learned a lot from his guidance and the learnings always helped me at every moment in my cricketing career."
Advising the younger generation, who are dreaming of representing India or playing for IPL, he said: "One should focus on what is in his control like making an effort, doing hard work, so one should better focus on these aspects and not on the result part."
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