IND vs ENG: AB de Villiers backs Rajat Patidar to play Dharamshala Test

After doing well in domestic cricket and for India A, Rajat Patidar was handed his debut Test cap in the second match of the ongoing five-match Test series against England in Visakhapatnam. However, his excitement was short-lived as the 30-year-old has failed to make a mark in Test cricket up until now. In the three matches he's featured in so far, the Indore-born cricketer has scored just 63 runs at an average of 10.5. Following this, there have been quite a few reports floating around about him being dropped from the final Test against England in Dharamshala.

However, former cricketer AB de Villiers has backed Patidar to get better. He added that the Indian team has a brilliant team culture which will boost Patidar’s morale despite a poor start to his Test career. He mentioned that skipper Rohit Sharma and the team management should back him in trying times to bring out the best in him, since they believed in his abilities while picking him for the series.

Also Read - KL Rahul ruled out of Dharamsala Test, Jasprit Bumrah returns

“Rajat Patidar is not having the series of a lifetime or 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,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

“If his 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,” the 40-year-old added.

Notably, star batter KL Rahul has been ruled out of the fifth Test as the BCCI has sent him to the United Kingdom for better examination of his injury. In case the team management decides to drop Patidar from the playing XI, we could see southpaw Devdutt Padikkal make his debut in Dharamshala. The Rohit Sharma-led side is currently leading 3-1 in the series and another win can help them get into an even better position in the WTC points table.