Young batter Rajat Patidar on Wednesday (October 5) said that Virat Kohli is his idol and he tries to imbibe the latter’s intensity in his own game.

Notably, Patidar recently received his maiden India call-up for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to get underway in Lucknow on Thursday (October 6).

The right-hander has been picked in the national side on the back of his IPL exploits for RCB and performances in the Indian domestic circuit.

"Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers are my idols. They are highly experienced in international cricket. I looked at them and wondered how I would talk to them. But then they talked to me themselves, it was a good moment for me. It gave me confidence. I have learnt a lot from Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, and AB De Villiers in the nets while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Especially Virat, who carries the same intensity in both nets and matches. It feels good watching it and I try to add on that intensity in my own game," said Patidar in a video shared by BCCI.

Sharing the experience of his first practice session with Team India, Rajat Patidar said he felt good after talking and being appreciated by stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan.

"It feels good when legends appreciate you. It gives me motivation. When the team claps for you, it gives you motivation," he added.

On how he approaches different formats in IPL and domestic cricket, the batter said, "That IPL knock gave me confidence. But white-ball and red-ball cricket are different. I have the ability to play all formats. I try focusing on both formats separately, keep myself in present and play as per the demand of the team."

Rajat Patidar was one of the top performers for RCB in this year’s IPL. He amassed 333 runs in eight matches at an average of 55.50, including a century and two fifties.

(With ANI inputs)