Having got out cheaply for 17 in the first innings against Bengal, Patidar bounced back in the second to crack a scintillating 137 to put his team in the driver's seat on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals at the Brabourne Stadium on Friday.
Three centuries in just five first-class game in his debut season is satisfying for many. But not for Madhya Pradesh batsman Rajat Patidar, though.
Having got out cheaply for 17 in the first innings against Bengal, Patidar bounced back in the second to crack a scintillating 137 to put his team in the driver's seat on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals at the Brabourne Stadium on Friday.
His 251-ball knock, and half-centuries from captain Devendra Bundela (72) and Naman Ojha (52), not only saw MP race to 338/5 but also saw them take a massive lead of 565 runs. Patidar was also involved in a 141- and 114-run stands with Ojha and Bundela, respectively for the third and fourth wickets.
Resuming the day at 8/0, MP lost their two openers Aditya Shrivastava (17) and Jalaj Saxena (20) to the new ball bowlers when the scoreboard read 43/2.
With the seamers getting enough swing and moisture early on, Patidar chose to bide time, leaving the balls outside the off-stump. He, however, did not shy away from punishing the odd balls to fence. He exhibited eye-catching drives on the front foot and rotated the strike well in the two century-plus partnerships.
With enough time on hand, Patidar did not lose his patience even though Ojha could not capitalise on the start as he got cleaned up by seamer V Pratap Singh for 52. The 22-year-old Patidar held forte at the other end and shared a good stand with his senior pro Bundela.
Patidar eventually reached his third century of the season. What followed post his ton was a pleasant sight where Patidar stepped out to swing his bat against veteran left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for a towering six before slogging him for a couple of boundaries.
Eventually, the youngster got out for Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary while trying to play his favourite sweep shot but ended up giving mid-wicket fielder Ashoke Dinda a catch shortly after Bundela fell to Ojha.
Patidar regretted missing on a double hundred. "Yes I had lots of time in hand and could have got it," he said.
"I expected more (runs), but it couldn't happen. I was an aggressive player in the season and got out while trying to play fast, but my seniors told me to take time which eventually is helping me," he added.
Brief scores: Madhya Pradesh 348 & (I/n 8/0) 338/5 in 101 overs (R Patidar 137, N Ojha 52, D Bundela 72) vs Bengal 121
ELSEWHERE
Unadkat steers Saurashtra to semis
In Vizianagaram, left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat took 4/35 in the second innings to take his match tally to 9/116 as Saurashtra thrashed Vidarbha by an innings and 85 runs to book their place in the semifinals for the first time in three seasons. Unadkat's nine-wicket haul helped Saurashtra wrap up a one-sided contest inside three days.
Brief scores: Vidarbha 151 & (o/n 17/0) 139 all out in 68.1 overs (W Jaffer 48, F Fazal 36; J Unadkat 4/35, D Punia 3/32) lost to Saurashtra 375 by an innings and 85 runs
Assam 2 wickets away from win
In Valsad, seamer Arup Das scalped six wickets to take Assam closer to a semifinal spot by reducing Punjab to 224/8 in their second innings. Das's 6/82 wrecked havoc on Punjab, who need another 64 runs with two wickets in hand, chasing 288 to win.
Brief scores: Assam 323 & (o/n 23/4) 101 all out in 35.5 overs (A das 31; S Kaul 4/25, B Sran 5/43) vs Punjab 137 & 224/8 in 60 overs (G Singh 64, M Sidhana 43, G Khera 35; A Das 6/82)
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