Madhya Pradesh captain Rajat Patidar showed his class in his first 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 great form with another stellar performance with the ball in the 2025-26 season. The Madhya Pradesh captain scored his maiden first-class double century against Punjab at the Emerald Heights International School Ground.
Rajat Patidar hits first-class double century, Madhya Pradesh dominates Punjab
His overnight century helped MP take a big lead on Punjab’s first innings total of 232 runs, with the right-handed batsman fighting single-handedly with the tail to push the team’s advantage past 250. Patidar’s remarkable innings of 200+ came in 328 balls with 26 boundaries.
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With his maiden double century after consistently good performances, Patidar gave a strong reminder to the BCCI that he is ready for the big stage. The 32-year-old has surpassed his previous highest first-class score of 196 and added another brilliant chapter to his decade-long red-ball career. He has more than 5,200 runs to his name in first-class cricket at an average of around 45.
Patidar has had a resurgence after a disappointing Test debut against England last season. Since then, he has been in great form, and finished as Madhya Pradesh’s top scorer in the last Ranji Trophy with 529 runs at an average of 48.09, which included a century and two fifties.
Rajat Patidar is brilliant as the captain
He led Madhya Pradesh to the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Patidar confirmed his leadership abilities by leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to their first title in June 2025. He continued that momentum into the Duleep Trophy 2025, captaining the Central Zone and scoring four consecutive fifty-plus scores, including two centuries in the quarter-finals and final.
His crucial first innings century against South Zone helped Central Zone end a ten-year wait for the prestigious Duleep Trophy title. Earlier this month, Rajat Patidar led Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Despite a strong team of Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rest of India lagged behind and lost to Vidarbha by 93 runs, but Patidar’s leadership caught everyone’s attention.
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Rajat Patidar’s red-ball blitz took India selectors by surprise
Patidar has been invincible for the last five months. He is not just winning trophies, but he is also scoring runs at every stage, and now he has continued his sensational red-ball form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Patidar’s scores in the last four home matches are 125 and 66, 77, 101 and 13, 66 and 10.
His stellar performance will definitely increase his chances of a comeback. Notably, Madhya Pradesh was leading Punjab by 287 runs before play was stopped due to rain in Indore. They scored a mammoth score of 519/8 thanks to a brilliant double century from Patidar, who was unbeaten on 205, along with a solid 60 from Arshad Khan at the other end.
