AHMEDABAD: His sizzling 54-ball, unbeaten 112 won RCB the Eliminator against LSG and made the world sit up and take notice of Rajat Patidar, but one man who has seen him from close quarters wasn't too surprised by the Madhya Pradesh batsman's stunning feat.
Former India stumper Chandrakant Pandit, who has been coaching MP for the past couple of years, told TOI, "Last year, during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game against Saurashtra, I sent Rajat a message: 'Dede bahar (hit the ball out of the ground).' In the next six balls, he blasted four sixes and two fours, with all shots hit straight to the sightscreen. He has loads of ability. You just need to give him the license to hit. He has the skill to hit the ball over the fielder, and along the ground, but 90% of his shots are along the ground.
