Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Harshal Patel had a dream start to IPL 2021 campaign returning with a five-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Patel staged a brilliant comeback to return with five for 27 from his quota of four overs. He became the first bowler to claim a five-wicket-haul against defending champions Mumbai Indians.
Meanwhile, Harshal Patel did not have a good start to his IPL 2021 campaign as he was taken to the cleaners in his first over by Chris Lynn, who smoked a six and a four to take 15 runs off his first six balls. But the all-rounder made a superb comeback in his second spell to break the backbone of Mumbai Indians’ batting order.
Harshal came into the attack when Mumbai were going all guns blazing and was successful to stop the free flow of runs. made brilliant use of his variations and ensured that he ran through their middle-order. Harshal Patel claimed a dangerous-looking Hardik Pandya in his 2nd over when the all-rounder missed the full-toss and was trapped plumb in front.
Harshal Patel picks a five-wicket haul
The right-hander pinned Ishan Kishan LBW in his next over but it was his last over that pegged MI back substantially. He got rid of Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard on successive deliveries with his clever change of pace before he knocked over Marco Jansen with an inswinging yorker to claim his maiden five-wicket haul.
Patel gave just one run in his last over and finished with the third-best figures – 5/27 by an uncapped Indian and also the best figures by a bowler against Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, the cricketing fraternity went gaga over Harshal Patel’s brilliant comeback and labeled him as the one who can solve Royal Challengers Bangalore’s problem going into IPL 2021.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Harshal Patel’s five-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians:
Staggering comeback by #RCB. For now their weakness, death bowling, has been addressed. Against the best finishing team in the #IPL.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 9, 2021
Wow. Harshal Wow. Five wickets. Three wickets and only a single run in the 20th over. Take a bow 🙇♂️ #MIvRCB #IPL2021
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 9, 2021
Harshal Patel and Jamieson were outstanding with pitch reading and their execution. Can Mumbai defend this? They have the bowling attack to do, certainly. #IPL2021
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 9, 2021
What’s up fellas @Comedy_Praveen and @mukundabhinav ?? Told you so about @HarshalPatel23 !! 🤩🤩🤩 @Dream11
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/JClBiMT8wp pic.twitter.com/6sYzE1XWaM
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 9, 2021
Death bowling has always been an issue. Harshal Patel has clearly worked hard to provide @RCBTweets their answer. Restricting to 159 is incredible given #MI powerhouse batting. 3 wickets/2 dots and a runout to finish #playbold #RCB #MIvRCB
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 9, 2021
Top effort by Harshal Patel to restrict the mighty MI to 159. Game on. RCB will be pretty happy with their bowling performance #DoddaMathu #IPL2021 #RCBvsMI
— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) April 9, 2021
ok you've made your point harshal 🙂 #IPL2021 https://t.co/9yhKVPjZ3d
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 9, 2021
Excellent come back by #RCB with ball in hand ,thx to Harshal Patel, Best chance to beat the champs #MI in an opening game #RCBvsMI #IPL2021
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 9, 2021
