What a rollercoaster of a year it has been for Rajat Patidar! It feels like just yesterday he was on top of the world, etching his name in history by steering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever IPL title in 18 years. It was the fairytale victory fans had waited a lifetime for, and Patidar was right at the heart of that triumph.

His golden touch didn’t fade after the IPL confetti settled. In the domestic circuit, the stylish batter has been in beast mode. Leading Central Zone to a Duleep Trophy victory, he batted like a man possessed, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with a staggering 382 runs in just five innings. His scorecard read like a video game: 125, 66, 77, and 101. He carried that form into the Irani Cup with a solid 66 against Vidarbha and then played a marathon unbeaten knock of 205 against Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. He seemed unstoppable.

Then came the heartbreak. During an unofficial Test for India A against South Africa A in late October, Patidar suffered a knee injury. The cricketing world held its breath. For a player in the form of his life, a serious knee issue could have been a career-altering blow. Rumors of a long layoff swirled, casting a shadow over his season.

But here is the good news: the scare was just a niggle. The BCCI Center of Excellence has officially cleared him, and the “Messiah” of Madhya Pradesh cricket is fit to return.

His comeback is a desperate need for his state side. Madhya Pradesh has looked lost without its inspirational skipper. Currently languishing at 7th on the points table, they suffered a demoralizing defeat in their opener against Hyderabad. They are missing the spark of the man who smashed 428 runs at a strike rate of 186.08 last season, single-handedly dragging them to the finals.

While the team faces a crucial challenge against Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Bihar this Friday, the spotlight is firmly on November 30th. Patidar is set to take the field from that date onwards, with his return clash likely against Uttar Pradesh. His presence isn’t just about the runs; it’s about the confidence he brings to the dressing room. Can the returning captain turn the tide and lead MP back to glory? The stage is set for a blockbuster return.