Who is Dhiraj Phatangare?
Dhiraj Phatangare is a batter who plies his trade for the Ratnagiri Jets in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL). The opening batter has been a vital part of his team’s batting lineup during their two MPL-winning campaigns. Phatangare has amassed close to 450 runs, showcasing his consistency and skill.
Before the MPL 2023 season, Phatangare was signed by the Ratnagiri-based team for INR 80k. Despite a slow start in the first three matches, he delivered a stellar performance in his fourth outing, scoring a match-winning 70 against the Eagle Nashik Titans. His innings, featuring 6 fours and 4 sixes, helped the Jets post a formidable 200/4.
The 25-year-old continued to impress in Qualifier 1 of MPL 2023, scoring a brisk 46 off 26 deliveries against the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers. His crucial knock played a significant role in the Jets’ narrow victory in the rain-affected match.
Phatangare finished the season as the leading run scorer for his team, with 153 runs in six innings, averaging 30.6 with a strike rate of 137.84.
Phatangare produced yet another season filled with runs in MPL 2024
Consistency in T20 cricket is challenging, but Phatangare has managed to achieve it. He once again topped the scoring charts for the Ratnagiri Jets in MPL 2024, accumulating 290 runs in 12 innings at an average of 24.17 and a strike rate of 137.44.
Phatangare’s 26-ball 42 in the MPL 2024 opener against the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers set the tone for the season. One of his standout performances came against the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Kings, where he raced to a half-century in just 23 balls, helping the Jets chase down 189 with seven balls to spare.
Despite a rain-truncated match that reduced the game to 5 overs per side, Phatangare scored a quickfire 28 off 13 balls, including three sixes. He also played a crucial knock of 38 off 22 balls in a must-win game against the Puneri Bappa just before the playoffs.
In the final against the Eagle Nashik Titans, Phatangare held his ground as wickets fell around him, scoring 27 runs in a crucial context. Although not his best innings, his resilience was vital for the team.
Over two MPL seasons, Phatangare has scored 443 runs in 18 innings, earning the nickname “run machine” from his teammates. As the most prolific batter for the Ratnagiri Jets, he has consistently delivered under pressure.
At just 25 years old, Phatangare’s potential is immense. He is poised to be a mainstay for the Ratnagiri Jets and Maharashtra’s top order for years to come.
