IPL 2022: Harshal Patel explains how Kohli, ABD, Maxwell failed to playhis slower balls

Because of the brilliance of his talents at the death with the ball, Harshal Patel has become one of the most crucial and inseparable players of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the previous few years. Harshal was handed the job of the death bowler after being moved to RCB before the IPL 2021, and because of the clarity of his role in the side, the Haryana pacer showed what he is capable of.

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Harshal with those dipping slower balls and clever change of pace was not just a one-trick pony as he was able to deceive the batters in the air, and if the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell were finding it difficult to read those of his hand, the other batters would have found it even more difficult.

Harshal told Gaurav Kapur on Breakfast with Champions that Maxwell telling him after playing him in the nets that there was no way they were choosing him was a great confidence booster for him.

Harshal named Zaheer Khan, whose knuckleballs were incredible to see during the 2011 World Cup, as his inspiration and a bowler he has learnt from about slower deliveries, and said that the former India seamer has been his mentor in many aspects of his T20 bowling.

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“If I have to look at someone who legitimised slower ball, [it] was Zaheer Khan in the 2011 World Cup. The way he got people out with those knuckleballs was unbelievable to watch. I got my education in T20 bowling from him. I started with RCB in 2012 and he used to come up to me every single ball and tell me what I need to bowl,” he went on to say.

Harshal recounted a game in Pune where he was smacked for a six by Robin Uthappa as he bowled a slower delivery despite being told not to.

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“I remember we were playing in Pune and he had told me not to bowl a slower ball, but I still bowled it and Robin Uthappa smashed me for a six over mid-wicket. So he came up to me and (laughs) among all the other things he said, he also said ‘Didn’t I tell you not to bowl that?'” Harshal remembered.

Harshal’s standing surged in world cricket after a season of 32 wickets and a Purple Cap, as he not only made his debut for India but also received a stunning Rs 10.75 crore at the super auction.