Harshal Patel was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auctions in Dubai. He was purchased for a sum of Rs. 11.75 crores and it made him the most expensive Indian player in this auction.
Patel previously plied his trade for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals) and has been a proven performer with the ball in this hugely-competitive league of India.
As Punjab enter into their maiden bid to lift the IPL title, Harshal Patel will be an important cog in the wheels of Punjab Kings in IPL 2024.
In this article, we take a look at 3 reasons why Harshal Patel can have a good season in the upcoming IPL 2024:
1. Harshal Patel has several variations with the ball
As and when Harshal Patel starting playing for RCB for his second stint from 2021, his stocks increased rapidly. He displayed tremendous versatility with the white-ball and bowled the slower deliveries, cutters and the knuckle balls, extremely well.
Batters found it difficult to read his deliveries and he continued to perform well for Bangalore. He was one of the standout bowlers of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the previous 3 IPL editions.
2. Performer with the bat
Harshal Patel can be labelled as a bowling all-rounder as he can deliver the goods with the willow too. The 33-year-old cricketer has played a few vital knocks in the past and has scored 981 runs in 134 T20s so far.
His highest score of 36* with the bat came off just 16 balls in IPL 2018, when he was playing for the Delhi franchise. Patel deservedly won the player of the match in that game for his blistering knock versus Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
3. Has previously won a Purple Cap
The Purple Cap award in the IPL is awarded to the player with the most number of wickets in a particular season. Harshal Patel had bagged the prestigious Purple Cap in IPL 2021 after he took 32 wickets.
Patel had an excellent average of 14.34 and his experience will pay off rich dividends to Punjab Kings. He will pair along side Kagiso Rabada and will be forming a lethal bowling duo.
Shikhar Dhawan and co. also have Sam Curran and it seems like Punjab can finally dream and hope of a good IPL performance in the upcoming season.
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