Rajat Paliwal cites Paras Dogra as motivation after unbeaten 111 in Palam

Rajat Paliwal, the 34-year-old captain of Services, said on Monday at the Airforce Complex Ground in Palam after scoring an unbeaten 111 against Delhi that he draws inspiration from Paras Dogra’s journey. Paliwal linked Dogra’s late-career success to his own resolve to continue performing in the domestic circuit.

Paliwal acknowledged the anonymity that often surrounds domestic cricket and described himself as a mainstay in Services’ batting for more than a decade. He noted his closest brush with national recognition came when he played for India-A in a four-day clash against West Indies-A in 2013.

Paliwal referenced Dogra, 41, who spent many years out of the spotlight with sides such as Himachal Pradesh and Pondicherry before captaining Jammu & Kashmir to a Ranji title last season. “I look at Paras bhai. He has crossed 40. He has been consistently persistent, and won the Ranji title last season. His success after so much hard work makes me also feel good. It does act as a motivation,” Paliwal said on Monday.

During his innings on day one Paliwal requested that the manual scoreboard not display his runs, an instruction relayed to the scoreboard operator. “I don’t like to take my focus away by knowing my score. I like to keep my concentration on the pitch. I got to know I am nearing a century when Delhi brought the fielders in. It has been my habit post-Covid to not have my score visible,” he said.

Paliwal made his Ranji Trophy debut in the 2011-12 season and has continued to contribute for Services at an average above 40. His unbeaten 111 against Delhi was presented as part of that ongoing run of form.

Published: November 02, 2026 09:26 pm IST — New Delhi