Haryana and now Royal Challengers Bangalore paceman Harshal Patel has been plying his commerce within the Indian Premier League (IPL) for over 9 years now. Over the 9 years, Harshal has solely appeared in 49 video games for franchises like Delhi Capital and RCB.
The excessive level of Harshal’s IPL profession got here on Friday (April 9) evening, when he turned the primary bowler to choose up a five-wicket haul towards Mumbai Indians, who’re the defending champions of the IPL. Harshal picked up 5/27 with the ball and was instrumental in RCB’s upset win over MI within the IPL 2021 opener.
On Tuesday (April 13), forward of their second recreation towards Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai, Harshal revealed the years of ache and doubt he needed to endure over time.
“Till the year 2018, people didn’t take a lot of interest in me because they primarily saw me as a bowler. I took it as an insult and started working on my batting as well. I am not someone who is technically sound but if I can score runs in difficult situations and prove my worth as an all-rounder, I will be happy,” Harshal mentioned throughout a digital interplay on Tuesday.
Returning to RCB below Team India skipper Virat Kohli is sort of a ‘second coming’ for Harshal. Kohli has put religion in 30-year-old Gujarat-born Haryana paceman to be the ‘death bowler’ for the franchise.
“I want to be bowler who takes on responsibility for his side. Rather than being a burden, I consider this as a privilege,” Harshal, who has picked up 51 wickets from 49 IPL video games till date, mentioned.
“It is good that Kohli has designated the role for me as clarity is always good. It helps in mental as well as skill preparation ahead of any game,” he added.
Kohli isn’t the one one to place religion in uncapped tempo bowler like Harshal. On Monday (April 12) evening, Punjab Kings skipper selected Arshdeep Singh to bowl the ultimate over with Rajasthan Royals needing 13 runs to win.
“It is a good trend that captains are realizing that even uncapped Indian bowlers can take up responsibility in crunch situations in IPL games,” Harshal felt.
With the T20 World Cup set to happen in India later this yr, Harshal shouldn’t be wanting too far forward and dreaming a couple of berth within the squad.
“Selection for the T20 World Cup is out of my control. I can only try and perform in every game that I get to play in IPL 2021 and try to win as many games as possible for the franchise,” the RCB paceman mentioned.
