Batter Rajat Patidar said IPL was a turning point in his career after he got called up to represent India in the three-match ODI series against South Africa. The 29-year-old said the selection feels like a dream to him.
“That IPL knock was a turning point for me. All this feels like a dream to me,” said Patidar.
The BCCI posted a video on Twitter, where Patidar calls Dinesh Karthik his idol and thanks the wicket-keeper for congratulating him for his selection.
“I saw his tweet congratulating me. That tweet made me feel very happy and helped me build confidence because I’ve played in the IPL with Dinesh Karthik. He’s like an idol for me. He’s been playing for India for so many years and seeing him tweet about me, made me feel really good,” said Patidar.
From turning dreams into reality, learning from @imVkohli & @ABdeVilliers17 to getting appreciated by @DineshKarthik. #TeamIndia @rrjjt_01 sums up his incredible journey ahead of the #INDvSA ODI series. – By @ameyatilak
Full interview https://t.co/mGMtKSKAEc pic.twitter.com/AEIV0V4mvl
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 5, 2022
India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik had congratulated Patidar and pacer Mukesh Kumar on social media, as the two were called up for India’s upcoming ODI series against the Proteas.
“So happy to see Rajat Patidar there, so deserves this selection. Well done to Mukesh Kumar too. Now Sarfaraz Khan and Baba Indrajith into the test scheme of things. Can’t ignore such brilliant performers and performances. They’ve just been phenomenal. TALENT APLENTY,” Karthik said in his tweet.
So happy to see Rajat patidar there , so deserves this selection
Well done to Mukesh Kumar too
Now Sarfaraz Khan and Indrajith baba into the test scheme of things . Can’t ignore such brilliant performers and performances.Theyve just been phenomenal
TALENT APLENTY https://t.co/2vpcoeMdBn
— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 3, 2022
Patidar also spoke about his interaction with former India captain Virat Kohli and former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, saying he was nervous the first time he saw the duo.
“AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli are also my idols. Players like these are big international cricketers. I was very nervous the first time I saw them, but they approached me themselves, which was another great moment for me,” Patidar added.
India will face South Africa in a three-match ODI series, starting October 6 in Lucknow.
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