IPL 2023: Harshal Patel Recalls a Shocking Moment of His Stint With RCB

India and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowler Harshal Patel never thought that he would get a deal of more than 7 crores in the 2022 mega auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Harshal’s remarks came ahead of the IPL 2023, scheduled to start on March 31. Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him in the 2022 mega-auction for a colossal sum of Rs 10.75 crore. Patel was given the purple cap for taking the most wickets in the 2022 season of the cash-rich league.

Harshal became a reliable customer, and a proven wicket-taker for RCB after delivering his best bowling performance in the IPL 2021. The right-arm pacer took 32 wickets in 15 games for which he received the Purple Cap. Following a successful season, he was in high demand amongst teams in the mega auction but RCB managed to secure him once again after a tense bidding war with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Haryana-based cricketer didn’t disappoint and he continued his great run of form in the league and bagged 19 wickets, at an economy rate of just 7.66 runs per over. 

IPL 2023: Harshal Was Shocked to Get a Deal of 10.75 CR

In the latest episode of the RCB podcast, Patel talked about his experience during the IPL 2022 mega-auction and said that despite having a career-defining IPL 2021 season with the ball, he was not expecting a bid in excess of Rs 7 crore.

“A lot of people asked me what my expectations were after the auction and I said that I was expecting between 6 and 7 crores. I had looked at people in my category in the past 3 or 4 seasons and none of them had made more than that bracket in the past big auctions. So, I thought, okay, I can safely expect between 5-7 crores without hurting myself too much. A lot of people around me told me that it could go into double figures and I just did not believe them. When that happened, it was a pleasant shock,” said Harshal Patel.

In the upcoming edition of the tournament, Harshal will be expected to bolster the team with his vast experience and clever bowling skills. Unlike other bowlers, Harshal doesn’t rely on pace to trouble batters. His main weapon is his change-ups, which used quotes efficiently.

Out of favor with the Indian team, Harshal had a disappointing international season with team India and was recently dropped from the Indian side. Therefore, this year’s IPL is important for him from a personal point of view as he has a point to prove come to the 16th edition.