Rajat Patidar’s performance in the 2024 SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) has been remarkable, particularly highlighted by his explosive innings in the final. Here’s a detailed overview of his contributions during the tournament:
Final Match Performance
. Match Details: Madhya Pradesh (MP) faced Mumbai in the final held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on December 15, 2024.
. Batting Performance: Patidar scored an unbeaten 81 off 40 balls, hitting 6 sixes and 6 fours His innings was crucial as MP posted a total of 174 runs of 8 wickets after a shaky start at 54 for 4.
. Record Achievement – With this performance, Patidar equaled the record for the most sixes (6) hit in a SMAT final, matching Anmolpreet Singh’s record from 2023. Additionally, he recorded the third-highest individual score in a SMAT final.
Tournament Statistics
. Overall Performance: Throughout the tournament, Patidar was one of the standout players. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 428 runs in 10 Matches, averaging an impressive 61.14 and boasting a strike rate of 186.08.
. Consistency: He scored five half-centuries during the tournament, demonstrating consistent performance across matches. His best score was the unbeaten 81 in the final, which also made him the highest-scoring Indian captain in a T20 tournament final, surpassing Gautam Gambhir’s previous record of 80 runs.
Impact and Future Prospects
. Despite Madhya Pradesh losing to Mumbai in the final, Patidar’s leadership and batting prowess have garnered significant attention. Fans and analysts have begun speculating about his potential role as captain for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025, especially given his retention by RCB for ₹11 crore ahead of the mega auction.
. His performance has led to calls from fans for his inclusion in India’s T20I setup, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and against quality bowling attacks.
Patidar’s impressive display not only solidified his reputation in domestic cricket but also positioned him as a key player to watch in future international formats.
