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In a remarkable display of skill and power-hitting, Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar struck a stunning century off just 68 balls on Day 4 of his team’s Ranji Trophy clash against Haryana at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Wednesday (October 27). Walking in at number three, Patidar’s counterattacking approach helped the two-time Ranji Trophy champions erase the 132-run deficit they conceded in the first innings, propelling his team to a competitive position in the final session of the game. This century marked Patidar’s 13th in First-Class cricket and was his first hundred of the season – a crucial one that revived his form and placed him in the record books.
Rewriting Madhya Pradesh’s record books : Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Patidar’s 68-ball ton shattered the previous fastest century record for Madhya Pradesh, held by Naman Ojha, who scored a 69-ball hundred against Karnataka in 2015. Patidar’s innings comprised 13 fours and seven sixes, allowing him to dominate the Haryana bowling attack and propel Madhya Pradesh’s scoring rate. His knock was especially notable as it pushed him up to fifth place on the all-time list of the fastest centuries in Ranji Trophy history. While Rishabh Pant holds the record for the fastest Ranji century, scoring it off just 48 balls, Patidar’s innings stood as a memorable feat, given his ꦏrecent strugg🙈les with form.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Rajat Patidar smashed the fastest hundre🐼d by a Madhya Pradesh batter 🫡❤️
— Pallavi (@Pallavi_paul21)
Rajat 🧜Patidar smashes th🌊e fastest hundred by a Madhya Pradesh batter, one of the quickest ever, in 68 balls vs Haryana.
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal)
Don't fumble this retention . He will be happy to take the 3rd slot @ 11 crores. It's very risky to buy him back via RTM card. I hope is reading this.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha)
Goes without saying that it's too risky to let Rajat into the auction in the hopes of buying back cheaper. One of top 10% T20 batters itw.
No point incꩲreasing the budget in this ꦿcase hoping to acquire KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant who are mediocre since years.
— Stephen (@albatrosscric)
What an innings by Rajat Patidar in the Ranji Trophy 🙌🏏🌠
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
RAJAT PATIDAR TODAY IN THIS RANJI TROPHY..!!!!
– He score 159(102).
– His Strike rate 155.88
– He shesmed hundred in 68 ball.
– He Scored 150 in just 97 ball.
– 3rd Fastest hundred Ranji Trophy– RAJAT PATIDAR, THE STAR …
— MANU. (@Manojy9812)
RAJAT PATIDAR CREATED HISTORY…!!!! 🌟
– Rajat Patidar scored the 3rd Fastest Hundred in the Ranji Trophy History (68 balls).
&mdas🅰h; Cricket addicted 🏏🇮🇳 (@VikashJ13660845)
🚨3RD FASTEST CENTURY 🚨
Rajat Patidar smash🗹ed 159 (102) balls and joined the third fastest centurion in Rajnji cricket
-One oꦓf the most elegant batter🗹 in Indian cricket
— Sivadath V H (@SivadathH68311)
RAJAT PATIDAR SCORED 159 RUNS AT 155.88 STRIKE RATE꧋ IN RANJI TROP🉐HY. 🥶
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
What an incredible innings by Rajat Patidar! Scoring a hundred in just 68 balls in the Ranji Trophy is no small feat. He’s definitely making a statement on t𝐆he field! 🚀🏏
— Sanjeev Kumar (@sksuny23)
Hearing reports Rajat may not be retained is scaring me. Trying to use the RTM feels risky I think his price easily goes 10+ cr. Teams wi♋ll know we will use RTM they will increase the bid squeeze us. better to retain him.
— Sai (@akakrcb6)
A crucial return to form
Patidar’s performance in the Ranji Trophy came as a much-needed resurgence. He had a slow start to the domestic season, managing only 146 runs across six innings in the Duleep Trophy and struggling in the early rounds of the Ranji season. However, he began showing signs of recovery with a composed 90 against Punjab in the previous round. This latest century reestablished his reputation as one of Madhya Pradesh’s most dependable batters. Having been instrumental in Madhya Pradesh’s title-winning campaign in the 2021-22 season, where he scored 658 runs with two centuries and five half-centuries, Patidar continues to demonstrate his value to the team as a middle-order stalwart.
Rajat Patidar’s blistering ton puts Madhya Pradesh in command against Haryana
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy Group C match in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana are locked in a competitive contest. Batting first, Madhya Pradesh posted 308 runs, with Himanshu Mantri anchoring the innings with a patient 97. Haryana responded strongly with 440, thanks to solid contributions from Lakshay Dalal (105) and Dheeru Singh (94), a𒉰long with a resilient 81♌ from Harshal Patel. Madhya Pradesh’s Kumar Kartikeya was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 5 wickets for 118 runs.
In the second innings, Madhya Pradesh fought back aggressively, with Patidar smashing a rapid 159 off 102 balls, setting a blis🃏tering pace. They reached 308/𓂃4 at tea on Day 4, extending their lead to 176 runs. With limited overs left, Madhya Pradesh will look to set a defendable target in the final session, aiming to challenge Haryana in the closing stages.
