India A’s recent defeat to South Africa A wasn’t the biggest setback the major shock came with Rajat Patidar’s injury. The in-form batter, who was close to earning a senior Test team call-up, has been ruled out for nearly four months.
Patidar Suffers Injury During Unofficial Test
Patidar sustained the injury during the first unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A. He scored 19 and 28 before retiring hurt. Medical tests have now confirmed a serious issue that sidelines him from the second match and all upcoming domestic tournaments.
Huge Blow for Madhya Pradesh
This is a major loss for Madhya Pradesh, where Patidar leads the team. He began the 2025 Ranji Trophy season with a double century and has been in exceptional form, amassing 710 runs in his last 10 innings, including two centuries, one double century, and two fifties.
Missed Opportunities and Unlucky Timing
The injury comes at the worst possible time. Patidar had been consistently performing but narrowly missed selection for India’s Test squad. Now, this setback halts his rise just as he was building strong momentum.
Hopeful Return for IPL 2026
If recovery goes according to plan, Patidar is expected to return during IPL 2026, where he captains Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). For now, it’s a testing phase for one of India’s most dependable and consistent domestic performers.
