Indian pacer Harshal Patel, coming off a season where he didn’t meet expectations with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), found himself anticipating his release ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. Patel, who fetched a staggering INR 11.75 crores, has now set his sights on helping Punjab Kings secure the title in the upcoming edition.
Despite a lackluster performance last season, Patel’s consistency in the format made him one of the hottest picks in the auction. His departure from RCB was expected, as he admitted in an interview with Jio Cinema, stating, “Honestly, the management would have felt, and even I did, that my last season was average. They may have felt that I didn’t justify that price tag. So, I was expecting that they would release me.”
While Patel acknowledges his underwhelming performance, he remains confident in his skills, emphasizing, “Even though I didn’t have a great season last year, it didn’t mean I lost skills or lost confidence. I feel that if I am executing well, I can bowl in any situation.”
IPL 2024 Auction: Harshal Patel Ready to Conquer Title Drought with Punjab Kings
Harshal Patel, now a part of Punjab Kings, expressed his excitement about joining the team and highlighted his positive relationships with fellow players, including Kagiso Rabada and Shikhar Dhawan. He is optimistic about the team’s chances of overcoming the title drought, stating, “So, hopefully, we’ll play good cricket and overcome the title drought.”
Punjab Kings, historically struggling in the death-bowling department, looks to benefit from Patel’s expertise in this crucial aspect. Beyond his bowling skills, Patel is a valuable asset with the bat and is poised to play a vital role for the team in IPL 2024.
As Patel embarks on a new journey with Punjab Kings, he brings a wealth of IPL experience, having played 91 games and bagged 111 wickets, including notable four-wicket and five-wicket hauls.
