5 reasons why Parthiv Patel should not have been dropped from the Test team

#2 Impressive domestic season

Parthiv Patel led Gujarat to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph and played two match-winning innings in the final

One of the main reasons why Parthiv Patel received a call-up to the Test team ahead of Rishabh Pant was his brilliant performances for Gujarat during the Ranji Trophy. Patel already boasts of an impressive first-class resume, having scored 9995 runs at an average of 44.42, hitting 56 half centuries and 25 centuries.

Gujarat won their maiden Ranji Trophy title this season under the leadership of Patel and he played a very significant role in their win. In 14 innings, Patel scored 763 runs at an average of 58.69 and a strike rate of 63.16, hitting five fifties and two hundreds.

Patel’s biggest contribution for Gujarat in the tournament came when needed the most, in the final as he scored 90 and 143 in the first and second innings respectively as Gujarat beat Mumbai by five wickets. He was eventually awarded the Man of the Match for his performances and his 143 was the highest individual in a successful run chase in a Ranji Trophy final.

Hence, looking at Patel’s recent form with the bat in the domestic circuit, the selectors may have missed a trick or two by dropping him.