Related cricket updates: Anukul Roy: The Rising Cricket Star You Need to Know!, Atharva Taide: The Rising Cricket Star You Need to Know! and Darshan Nalkande: The Rising Star You Need to Know!.
Rajat Patidar
Role: Batter
DOB: 01 June 1993
IPL Team (2026): Royal Challengers Bangalore
Base Price: ₹50 Lakh (2024 Auction)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 56 | 53 | 8 | 1484 | 112* | 32.98 | 965 | 153.78 | 1 | 11 | 160 | 76 | 17 |
| 2026 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 280 | 65 | 28.00 | 180 | 155.56 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 15 | 3 |
| 2025 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 380 | 70* | 31.67 | 240 | 158.33 | 0 | 3 | 40 | 18 | 4 |
| 2024 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 420 | 85 | 42.00 | 260 | 161.54 | 0 | 4 | 45 | 22 | 5 |
| 2022 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 333 | 112* | 37.00 | 219 | 152.05 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 18 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 71 | 31 | 23.67 | 66 | 107.58 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
The Story of Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar, the unassuming powerhouse from Madhya Pradesh, has carved a niche for himself in the high-octane world of the IPL with his fearless batting and ability to perform under pressure. Born on June 1, 1993, Patidar’s journey to IPL stardom wasn’t a conventional one, marked by consistent domestic performances that eventually caught the eye of franchise scouts. A right-handed top-order batter, he’s known for his elegant yet aggressive strokeplay, capable of dismantling any bowling attack on his day.
His IPL debut came in 2021 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, but it was the 2022 season that truly announced his arrival. After going unsold in the mega-auction, Patidar was brought in as a replacement player and seized the opportunity with both hands. His breakthrough moment, etched forever in IPL folklore, was the sensational century in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants. Walking in at a crucial juncture, he unleashed an astonishing 112* off just 54 balls, a knock filled with audacious strokes and incredible composure, guiding RCB to a memorable victory. This innings wasn’t just a statistical marvel; it was a statement of intent, showcasing his ability to thrive on the biggest stage.
Patidar’s batting style is characterized by his strong base, excellent hand-eye coordination, and a penchant for hitting through the line. He’s particularly adept against pace, often using the bowlers’ speed to his advantage, but also possesses a solid game against spin, capable of clearing the ropes with ease. After missing the 2023 season due to injury, Patidar made a strong comeback in 2024 and 2025, reaffirming his status as a vital cog in the RCB middle order. His ability to accelerate quickly and maintain a high strike rate makes him a dangerous proposition for any opposition.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Rajat Patidar’s IPL journey has been almost exclusively with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, a testament to their faith in his abilities, especially after his 2022 heroics. He was first picked by RCB in the 2021 auction at his base price of ₹20 Lakh. He played a handful of games, showing glimpses of his talent but not fully cementing his spot.
The 2022 season saw a twist in his tale. He went unsold in the mega-auction at his base price of ₹20 Lakh, a decision many franchises would later regret. However, fate intervened when an injury to Luvnith Sisodia opened a spot, and RCB brought him back into the squad. What followed was a dream run, culminating in that iconic Eliminator century. His performances in 2022 made him an indispensable asset.
Despite missing the entire 2023 season due to an Achilles heel injury, RCB showed continued faith in him, re-acquiring him in the 2024 auction for ₹50 Lakh. He repaid that faith with a strong comeback season in 2024, followed by consistent performances in 2025 and 2026, solidifying his position as a key middle-order batter for the franchise. His loyalty to RCB and their belief in his talent have been a defining feature of his IPL career.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Rajat Patidar offers a fascinating profile due to his explosive potential and specific strengths. His primary strength lies in his aggressive intent from ball one. He doesn’t need much time to settle, making him an excellent candidate for “over/under runs in the powerplay” if he bats early, or “most fours/sixes” bets when he’s in form. He thrives on good batting pitches, particularly at RCB’s home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the ball comes onto the bat nicely and the boundaries are shorter. His strike rate, consistently above 150, indicates his high scoring potential.
Patidar’s ability to perform under pressure, as evidenced by his playoff century, makes him a strong pick for “Player of the Match” in high-stakes games. He is particularly effective against express pace bowlers, often using their speed to find gaps or clear the ropes. However, a potential weakness can be his susceptibility to early movement or well-directed short balls on slower, tricky surfaces. Bettors should consider pitch conditions and the opposition’s primary swing/seam bowlers when placing bets on his early performance.
His consistency can sometimes be streaky; when he’s in rhythm, he’s unstoppable, but a few quiet innings can follow. This makes “head-to-head player runs” bets interesting – betting on him when he’s shown recent form is often a smart play. Look for matchups where the opposition lacks a strong, disciplined new-ball attack or when the pitch is flat. His high boundary-hitting rate also makes him a good bet for specific “player to hit X number of fours/sixes” markets.
Key Records & Milestones
- Fastest Century by an Uncapped Player: Scored 112* off 54 balls in the IPL 2022 Eliminator against LSG, the quickest century by an uncapped player in IPL history.
- Highest Score in an IPL Playoff Match by an Uncapped Player: His 112* is the highest individual score by an uncapped player in any IPL playoff game.
- Elite Playoff Company: One of only a handful of players to score a century in an IPL playoff match.
- Consistent Strike Rate: Maintains a career IPL strike rate of over 150, showcasing his aggressive batting approach.
- Significant Comeback: Returned from a season-long injury (2023) to deliver strong performances in subsequent seasons, demonstrating resilience.
IPL Season Highlights
Rajat Patidar’s IPL career has been punctuated by moments of brilliance, particularly his standout performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
2022 Season: The Breakthrough
This was Patidar’s coming-out party. After joining as a replacement, he quickly became a key middle-order batter. His most memorable performance was in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, where he smashed an unbeaten 112 runs off just 54 balls, including 12 fours and 7 sixes. This incredible knock, played under immense pressure, single-handedly propelled RCB into Qualifier 2 and remains one of the greatest playoff innings in IPL history. He also scored two half-centuries that season, showcasing his ability to anchor and accelerate.
2024 Season: The Resurgent Return
After missing the 2023 season due to injury, Patidar made a strong comeback in 2024. He quickly found his rhythm, scoring 420 runs at an impressive average of 42.00 and a strike rate exceeding 160. His season included four crucial half-centuries, with a top score of 85, often coming in challenging situations and helping RCB maintain momentum in the middle overs. His return was vital for the team’s batting stability.
2025 Season: Consistent Impact
Building on his 2024 resurgence, Patidar delivered another consistent season in 2025. He accumulated 380 runs with three half-centuries, including a vital unbeaten 70. His ability to maintain a high strike rate (158.33) while providing stability in the middle order proved invaluable, making him a reliable run-scorer and boundary-hitter for RCB throughout the tournament.