Harshal Patel

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Harshal Patel's journey in cricket began with a strong showing in the 2008-09 Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, where he took 23 wickets at an impressive average. He made his one-day debut for Gujarat in 2009-10. His family had planned to move to the USA, but his brother Tapan Patel ensured he stayed in India for his cricket. Patel was named in the squad for the 2010 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand and was among three players from that squad to bag an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians. Ignored by Gujarat selectors for the first-class team, he moved to Haryana and made an immediate impact in his debut Ranji Trophy season in 2011-12, running through Karnataka and Rajasthan with consecutive eight-fors in the quarter-final and semi-final. He was given a contract by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2012 Indian Premier League. Patel debuted immediately against Delhi and rose to fame when he took a five-for on a flat batting track in Bangalore. He backed up an incisive opening spell and wrapped up the tail by taking 3/9 in his last 4.5 overs. He followed that by taking eight wickets for just 34 runs in the next game against defending champions Rajasthan. The opponents were bowled out for 89 and the day finished even with Haryana at 84/8. He became the first Haryana player since 1991 to catch the selectorial eyes with his performances.

In Their Own Story

On 9 April 2021, in the first match of IPL 2021 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Patel took a 5-wicket haul (5-27) against Mumbai Indians. Harshal Patel is the first bowler to claim a 5-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians in the IPL. This is his best bowling figures in the IPL and he also became the first ever player to take a 5-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians in the IPL. His 5-wicket haul also became the third best bowling figures by an uncapped Indian player in the IPL. On 25 April 2021, in the same IPL season, Patel bowled the joint most expensive over in history of the IPL. While playing against CSK, Patel gave away 37 runs in the 20th over while bowling to Ravindra Jadeja (6, 6, N6, 6, 2, 6, 4). On 26 September 2021, playing against Mumbai Indians, Patel became the third bowler to take a hat-trick for Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking the wickets of Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Rahul Chahar, finishing with figures of 4/17 in 3.1 overs. By the end of IPL 2021, Patel ended with 32 wickets, making him the highest Indian wicket taker in a single season and joint-most with Dwayne Bravo. In November 2021, he was named in India's T20I squad for their series against New Zealand. He made his T20I debut on 19 November 2021, for India against New Zealand. He took two wickets and was named player of the match. He followed with another fruitful two-wicket haul to end the series with four scalps in two appearances.

Reader's Guide

Harshal Patel is a right-arm medium pace bowler who bats right-handed. He made his T20I debut against New Zealand on 19 November 2021. In domestic competitions, Patel has played for Gujarat and Haryana. In the Indian Premier League, he has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and currently plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the 2012 IPL auction, Patel was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore. In January 2018, Patel was bought by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2018 IPL auction. In January 2021, Patel was traded by Delhi Capitals to Royal Challengers Bangalore prior to the fourteenth season of IPL. In the 2022 IPL auction, Patel was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹10.75 crores. He briefly left the bio-bubble following the death of his sister. In June 2022, he was named in India's squad for their T20I series against Ireland. In the 2025 IPL auction, Patel was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹8.0 crores.

Did You Know?

• Harshal Patel's elder sister died during the COVID-19 era at age 33; he took a break from the IPL in 2021 for her last rites.
• He is the first bowler to claim a 5-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
• In IPL 2021, Patel bowled the joint most expensive over in IPL history, giving away 37 runs in the 20th over against CSK.
• He became the third bowler to take a hat-trick for Royal Challengers Bangalore, after Praveen Kumar and Samuel Badree.
• Patel ended IPL 2021 with 32 wickets, the highest by an Indian in a single season and joint-most with Dwayne Bravo.