AB De Villiers asks Indian team to show more patience with Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar has found an unlikely backer ahead of the fifth Test between India and England. The 30-year-old hasn’t been able to showcase his talents in the three Tests for India so far in this series. 

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With two successive failures in Rajkot and Ranchi, the pressure is on Patidar to keep his place. According to sources, Devdutt Padikkal is set to replace Madhya Pradesh for the final game of the series in Dharamshala. 

Former South African legend and RCB batter AB De Villiers has come out in support of Rajat Patidar. The 39-year-old has urged the Indian team management to show more patience towards the under-fire batter. 

AB De Villiers backs Rajat Patidar to come good – 

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Ahead of the final Test in Dharamshala, 30-year-old Rajat Patidar has found good support from AB De Villiers. The former South African skipper has shown his faith in Rajat Patidar to come good in the final game of the series. 

While speaking on his YouTube channel the 39-year-old said “Rajat Patidar not having the series of a lifetime or the one to remember. But the good thing about this Indian team and the culture is that you will survive in that side because of the great cricket they are playing and the results coming their way.”

The former legendary batter also said, “If Patidar's attitude is catchy and if he is a likeable character in the dressing room, Rohit and the selection panel will have the ability to say, 'Hold on, we do believe this guy has a future and we see him as a part of the team moving forward. Even though he hasn't been scoring runs, let's give him a longer run.”

Devdutt Padikkal is being touted to make his Test debut for India on the 7th of March. If the young batter is given his Test Cap he will become the 5th debutant in the series. The 23-year-old could bat at number four for India. 

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has also come out in support of Patidar. The 46-year-old wrote on Twitter, “The last thing you want as a cricketer is that your bad form coincides with the team’s poor returns. The moment that happens you are the first one to take the fall. Rajat’s not taken to Test cricket as fish to water but since India’s won the series already, he might get one final game at Dharamsala.”