Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra believes that Team India’s middle-order batter Rajat Patidar won’t be dropped in the upcoming fifth and final Test of the ongoing home series against England. He also added that since India have already clinched the series, the team management could give Patidar one more chance to prove his skill at the highest level. Notably, Patidar has failed to do well so far.

Taking to the microblogging platform X, Chopra wrote: “The last thing you want as a cricketer is that your bad form coincides with team’s poor returns. The moment that happens…you’re 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.”

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However, Team India gained an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series after their five-wicket victory in the recently concluded fourth Test in Ranchi. The fifth and final Test will take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala from March 7 to 11. Meanwhile, former South African captain AB de Villiers said how Rajat Patidar has not had a memorable debut series so far as well.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers 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.”

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“If his attitude is catchy and if he is a likable 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,” AB de Villiers concluded.