Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel has revealed that how an encouraging message from his captain Virat Kohli before the start of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) played a vital role in his impressive outing this season.
The Haryana bowler has so far played in 8 seasons but it was only this season, he managed to grab the eyeballs with his bowling performance and emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the recently-suspended IPL 2021 with 17 scalps in 7 games ahead of the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Japrit Bumrah.
Patel, who was traded to RCB from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 14, has explained how Kohli was a vital cog in boosting his confidence even during his poor outings this year.
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Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Patel said: “The moment I was traded, Virat sent me a message, “welcome back, you are going to play here”. That made a big impact on my confidence and I realized this is a team where I can finally showcase all my skills. He gives you the space to do your thing.”
The pacer further added, “Even if you don’t execute at times he understands better than anybody that on a batter’s day if they get hold of a bowler, you are going to go for runs. Whenever we are unable to execute, or we stray from our plans, when we sit for the review the only talk is about what do we do to stay on the path, how do we stay in the mindset to execute more often than not. We don’t let any other noise come into that environment.”
Talking about his journey and being the highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2021, Harshal said: “Yes. I am not comparing (myself) with anybody on that list because they are all great bowlers. At the same time, I know my skills are in the same region. I am not very far behind them. They have been very consistent over the years. This is the first year when I have been put into these pressure situations and done well.”
The bowler further added, “So, my goal is to keep this mindset, keep improving, keep polishing whatever skills I have, adding a few things here and there, probably have more impact with the bat whenever I get an opportunity. These are the things I am looking at if we end up finishing the second half of IPL in September.”
Patel also believes that the gap between international players and domestic players is closing because of the IPL. He further explained, “The gap (between domestic and international cricketers) has been closing because of IPL. Whatever pressure you are exposed to in (international) cricket, it is pretty much the same in IPL as well. I
have heard people who have played international T20 say that IPL is a tougher place to bowl. I haven’t had that experience so I can’t speak for myself…. If you get used to these kinds of situations, and if you get used to keeping a cool head in these tournaments, then all that experience will help you graduate to the highest level.”
On having AB de Villiers behind the wicket, Harshal said the inputs of the Proteas legend are always precise and to the point. He signed off by saying, “Who better to tell you about what’s going on than AB? He doesn’t talk a lot, he will let you do your own thing but if he finds you are out of depth or struggling, he will come up to chat.
Before I come into bowl, he has probably seen seven or eight overs; he will give small pointers on what the wicket is doing, what the batters are trying to do, what are the deliveries that will work. It is always short and concise chat.”
