Delhi Capitals all-rounder Harshal Patel hasn’t had the best of the times in the Indian Premier League. Patel numbers haven’t been promising as he has scored 107 runs and scalped 43 wickets in 43 matches. However, the Haryana captain has turned the tables in the recent past. The 29-year old didn’t the best of the domestic season in 2018-19. He also could play only two IPL 2019 matches as he fractured his hand.
However, the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy saw a different Patel altogether. The Gujarat born cricketer was able to gain confidence after his impressive performances as he opened the innings for Haryana. The right-hander took great advantage of the powerplay conditions and scored 374 runs at a blistering strike rate of 165.48 and an average of 31.16. He finished the tournament as fourth-highest run-getter.
Harshal Patel had shown great form in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019
Not only did Patel impressed with the bat but he was also right on the money with the ball. The medium-pacer scalped 19 wickets at an economy of 7.04 to finish as the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
Patel feels the pitches in the UAE, which are on the slow side, will suit his bowling style as he is known to mix his pace.
“My focus is to grab the opportunities that come my way and continue the run I’m having with both the bat and the ball,” Harshal said while talking to Times of India. “I’ve already started training, keeping the tournament in mind.
“Mentally, it will be the most difficult IPL. It is going to be a five-star jail. At the same time, I consider myself fortunate that I’ll be able to play cricket and showcase my skills. The pitches in Dubai are going to be slow and I feel I’m going to thrive on those tracks. Hopefully, we will return with the trophy too,” he reflected.
Patel also understands that he has to be at the top of his game given the competition in the Delhi Capitals. There are players like Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Roy, Rishabh Pant, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis and thus Patel would have to impress from the get-go to get consistent chances in the final XI.
The IPL will begin on September 19 in the UAE.