Harshal Patel IPL: How he has emerged as a top bowler in the league?

Harshal Patel, the Indian fast bowler, has become a household name in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His remarkable performances with the ball in the 2021 season of the IPL earned him the Purple Cap, which is awarded to the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recognized his potential and bought him back for a whopping sum of Rs. 10.75 crore in the IPL Mega Auction ahead of the 2022 season. In this blog, we take a closer look at Harshal Patel IPL career and how he has emerged as a top bowler in the league.

Harshal Patel IPL

Harshal Patel made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians in 2012. However, he did not get many opportunities in the playing XI and played only one match in the entire season. He was then picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014, but again, he struggled to get a regular spot in the team. Over the next few seasons, Harshal played for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and did not make much of an impact. In fact, he played only three matches in the 2019 season and went wicketless.

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Revival with Delhi Capitals

In the domestic season of 2019-20, Harshal Patel put in some impressive all-round performances for Haryana. He picked up 52 wickets in the Ranji Trophy and scored 374 runs at an average of 46.75. These performances caught the eye of the Delhi Capitals, who bought him at the 2020 IPL auction. Harshal had a decent outing for Delhi, picking up seven wickets in five matches. However, he was traded back to RCB ahead of the 2021 season.

Purple Cap winner in IPL 2021

The 2021 season of the IPL turned out to be a dream run for Harshal Patel. He was given the new ball by RCB captain Virat Kohli, and he repaid the faith shown in him by picking up wickets consistently. In the first match of the season against Mumbai Indians, Harshal picked up five wickets for 27 runs, which included a hat-trick. This was the first hat-trick of the season and the first-ever by an RCB bowler in the IPL. This performance set the tone for his outstanding season.

Harshal Patel finished the season with 32 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 14.34 and an economy rate of 8.14. He also won the Purple Cap, which is awarded to the bowler with the most wickets in the tournament. Harshal’s bowling played a crucial role in RCB’s run to the playoffs, and he emerged as one of the most valuable players in the team.

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RCB buys him back for IPL 2022

Harshal Patel’s performances in the 2021 season of the IPL did not go unnoticed, and the RCB decided to buy him back in the IPL Mega Auction ahead of the 2022 season. Harshal was the subject of an intense bidding war between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad, with the former eventually winning his signature for a whopping sum of Rs. 10.75 crore.

Harshal’s role in RCB’s bowling attack

Harshal Patel has emerged as a key player in RCB’s bowling attack, and his ability to pick up wickets in the powerplay overs has been invaluable to the team. His variations in pace and length, coupled with his accurate line and length, make him a difficult bowler to score off. He has also shown his ability to bowl at the death, picking up wickets and restricting the opposition’s scoring rate.

Career stats