Best performance of Saurabh Kumar and Rajat Patidar in first class cricket

India’s hopes for Test series dominance suffered a severe blow in Hyderabad, surrendering a commanding 190-run first-innings lead to England in a stunning first-match defeat. The unexpected loss at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium leaves them trailing 0-1 in the five-match series but also ignites a burning desire for redemption in the upcoming Visakhapatnam Test starting February 2nd.

But as they head to Visakhapatnam for the second Test, they face not just a 0-1 deficit but also the absence of two key warriors – KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, ruled out through injuries. This unexpected blow has opened the door for fresh faces, potentially throwing as many as three debutants into the crucible of Test cricket. Saurabh Kumar, Rajat Patidar, and Sarfaraz Khan stand on the precipice, their domestic exploits whispering promises of potential.

On that note, here’s a look at the three uncapped players and their best showings in the first-class arena:

Saurabh Kumar

Saurabh Kumar

Saurabh Kumar, the 30-year-old left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh, has carved a name for himself in domestic cricket with his consistent wicket-taking abilities. Though he’s yet to make his international debut, his recent Test call-up for India is a testament to his impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy and his stint as a net bowler for the national team.

Known for his classic, orthodox approach and ability to read batsmen, Kumar boasts impressive first-class numbers. In his 68 matches, he’s scalped 290 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 2.76. While his batting might not be his primary weapon, he’s no slouch with the willow either, having amassed 2,061 runs in 117 innings, including two centuries and twelve fifties.

Best Performance: In July 2023, Saurabh Kumar etched his name in the record books with a spell of mesmerizing bowling during the Duleep Trophy quarter-final between Central Zone and East Zone. On a turning track at the Alur Cricket Ground in Bengaluru, Kumar weaved a web of deception, bamboozling batsmen with his classic left-arm orthodox and claiming a career-best haul of 8 wickets for just 64 runs.

East Zone were chasing a mammoth score of 300 runs already and Kumar ensured that they got nowhere close to the total. Kumar ripped through the top order, his deliveries, a concoction of drift, dip, and subtle variations, proved unplayable. Eventually, his performance helped Central Zone emerge victorious by 170 runs.

Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar, Madhya Pradesh’s elegant right-hander, known for his calm demeanour, is a late bloomer who has taken the domestic circuit by storm. While he is usually remembered for his magnificent ton in the eliminator of the 2022 IPL, he is a consistent run-churning machine in the domestic arena.

Patidar has built a solid reputation as a reliable player, averaging a healthy 45.97 across 55 matches with a run-tally of 4000 runs, peppered with 12 centuries and 22 half-centuries. His highest score of 196 showcases his potential for big scores, while his five fifties in Madhya Pradesh’s maiden Ranji Trophy victory prove his ability to perform under pressure.

Best Performance: In the 2018 Ranji Trophy, amidst the picturesque backdrop of Dindigul’s NPR College Ground, Patidar constructed a masterful innings that defied a Tamil Nadu attack which also comprised one of India’s greatest bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin. The knock wasn’t just a high score; it was a display of grit, endurance, and unwavering focus. What made the innings even more special and classy is the fact that the rest of his teammates just got starts but he stood tall to help his side post a total.