Rajat Patidar sends Ajit Agarkar bold message with Ranji Trophy double ton before SA Tests
Published - 17 Oct 2025, 02:43 PM | Updated - 17 Oct 2025, 02:48 PM
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Madhya Pradesh captain Rajat Patidar showed his class in his debut match as the new all-format captain in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 against Punjab at the Emerald Heights International School Ground in Indore on Friday (October 17).
Rajat Patidar continued his red-hot form in the 2025-26 season with yet another stunning performance with the ball. The Madhya Pradesh captain notched his maiden first-class double century against Punjab at the Emerald Heights International School Ground.
Rajat Patidar hits maiden First-Class double century as Madhya Pradesh dominate Punjab
Carrying on from his overnight century that helped MP take a huge lead over Punjab’s first innings total of 232, the right-handed batter fought a lone battle with the tail to extend the team’s advantage past 250. Patidar’s remarkable innings of 200+ came off 328 deliveries, laced with 26 boundaries.
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With his maiden double ton following consistent performances, Patidar gave the BCCI a strong reminder that he is ready for the big stage. The 32-year-old has overtaken his previous highest First-Class score of 196 and added another glittering chapter to his decade-long red-ball career. He has over 5,200 runs at an average close to 45 to his name in first-class cricket.
Patidar’s resurgence comes after a disappointing Test debut against England last season. Since then, he has been in scintillating form, ending the last Ranji Trophy as Madhya Pradesh’s top scorer with 529 runs at an average of 48.09, including a century and two fifties.
Rajat Patidar is on fire as captain
He guided Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Patidar stamped his leadership credentials by guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden title in June 2025. He carried that momentum into the Duleep Trophy 2025, captaining Central Zone and delivering four consecutive fifty-plus scores, including two centuries in the quarter-final and final.
His crucial first-innings century against South Zone helped Central Zone to end the ten-year wait for the prestigious Duleep Trophy title. Earlier this month, Rajat Patidar led the Rest of India side in the Irani Cup. Despite a strong squad featuring Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rest of India fell short, losing to Vidarbha by 93 runs, but Patidar’s leadership caught everyone’s eye.
Rajat Patidar’s red-ball blitz keeps India selectors watching
Patidar has been unstoppable over the past five months. He hasn’t just been winning trophies, but he has been piling on runs at every stage, and now he has continued his sensational red-ball form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Patidar’s score reads 125 & 66, 77, 101, and 13, 66, and 10 in the last four domestic matches.
His brilliant performance will surely boost his chances of a recall. Notably, Madhya Pradesh is in a commanding position, leading Punjab by 287 runs before rain brought play to a halt in Indore. They posted a mammoth 519/8, thanks to a brilliant double century from Patidar, who was unbeaten on 205, alongside a solid 60 from Arshad Khan at the other end.
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Rajat Patidar Madhya Pradesh Domestic Cricket Ranji Trophy Ajit Agarkar India National Cricket Team India vs South AfricaAbout the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ... Read more
