In a rather surprising move, Rohit Sharma-led Team India has decided to entrust middle-order batter Rajat Patidar for another test as he is likely to retain his place in the playing XI for Dharamshala.
As per a report in The Indian Express, “the team management wants to back Patidar for the final Test. This means Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal won’t debut in th a Test cap yet.”
Notably, Patidar has featured in three Test matches during the series and has the highest of 32 with two ducks in six innings. Patidar’s place was under massive doubt after he failed to make a mark when it was needed in the fourth Test match in Ranchi which India won by 5 wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 lead.
“The team wants Patidar to get one more chance as they feel Patidar has talent and it’s a matter of time before he gets runs. As India has already won the series, the team wants to try him out one more time instead of giving a debut to Devdutt Padikkal,” a source was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.