Harshal Patel has turned out to be the perfect game-changer for Royal Challengers Bangalore this Indian Premier League. The current ‘Purple Cap’ holder, Patel, started the chapter called IPL 2021 with a fifer against defending champions Mumbai Indians. Patel has proved his magnificence with the bowl and giving RCB the worth they deserve.
After taking 23 wickets at an impressive average of 11 in the 2008-09 Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, Harshal made his List-A debut for Gujarat in 2008-09. Harshal also played for India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand and soon bagged an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians. Since then, it has been a rollercoaster ride for the fast bowler but he has managed to keep himself in the mix with stunning performances.
In this piece, we will speak about 5 intriguing facts about the RCB superstar Harshal Patel:
Stayed on in India for Cricket
Born in Gujarat on November 23, 1990, Harshal’s family moved to the United States of America in 2005. But he stayed back in India to continue his passion, cricket. His brother Tapan Patel recognized his cricketing talents, and Harshal did not move to the USA for the sake of cricket. He started his cricket training at the age of 8.
Under-19 World Cup
The right-hander bowler was added to India’s Under-19 squad for the 2010 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Post U-19, he was one of the three players to bag an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians. In the 2008-09 season, he played in Vinoo Mankad Trophy and managed 23 wickets.
Represented Two States
In 2009, he made his List A debut for Gujarat against Maharashtra. Harshal moved to Haryana after being shunned by the Gujarat selectors for first-class cricket. He made his debut for the Haryana Ranji team in 2011-12. He is now the captain of Haryana. Harshal Patel played his first T20 match for Haryana against Punjab in 2011.
IPL Contracts
Patel bagged RCB’s contract in 2012 but did not make any clung. In 12 games he had managed nine wickets. In 2018, Delhi Capital bought him during the 2018 IPL auction for Rs 20 lakh. Harshal Patel was traded to franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore by Delhi Capitals. He features in the playing XI since their season opener against Mumbai Indians.
First Bowler to Pick up Five Wickets Against Mumbai Indians
He became the first player to hunt down five scalps from the Mumbai Indians line-up. His 5-27 in RCB’s 2021 season opener against MI became the third-best bowling figure by an uncapped player in IPL. In 55 games, he has named a total of 55 wickets.
