HE has not been among the runs but middle-order batsman Rajat Patidar is likely to retain his place in the playing XI for the fifth Test match against England starting in Dharamsala on Thursday. The Indian Express understands that the team management wants to back Patidar for the final Test. This means Devdutt Padkikkal, the Karnataka batsman, won’t get a Test cap yet.
Patidar has played three Test matches during the series and has scores of 32, 9, 5, 0, 17 and 0. Patidar’s place was under scrutiny after the fourth Test match in Ranchi which India won by 5 wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 lead.