Haryana captain Harshal Patel after hard work of so many years in the domestic circuit finally got his due at the highest level following a career-transforming season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) last year.
Harshal, who was traded by Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2021, returned to RCB having played for the side previously for five seasons. Harshal had the role clarity under Virat Kohli last year as he was the designated death bowler for RCB, an area where the three-time finalists have struggled over the years.
Harshal said that he was promised by 3-4 franchises in 2018 that they were going to bid for him but apart from Delhi’s solitary bid, no one wanted him and in his own admission, it felt like a betrayal.
“The ironic thing was that there were 3-4 people from different franchises who said we’d gonna bid for you but no one did. It was like a betrayal” he said.
Harshal said that it was important for him to come out of this tough phase with acceptance and not break when he wasn’t getting the opportunity and recognition he deserved. Even though a little late, awards, rewards everything came Harshal’s way in 2021 and just changed his entire career.
