Indian pacer Harshal Patel was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for an amount of Rs 10.75 Crore at the mega auction for the 15th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). Patel picked up 32 wickets in 15 matches, in last season’s IPL.
Virat's message
After the successful signing of Patel, former RCB skipper Virat Kohli had texted him and now Patel has revealed Kohli's message.
“Virat Kohli messaged me after RCB picked me in the auction, he told, I deserve every bit for all hard work I have put in, it was so nice of him – money is always secondary but I am happy to create the value I created among everyone,” Patel said in a video shared by the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise.
Patel is the purple cap holder of the 2021 edition of IPL and he knows that there will be “lot of pressure in terms of the responsibilities” but he also admitted that he does not look at responsibilities “as pressure.”
“Lot of pressure in terms of the responsibilities that are given to me and the standards that I have set for myself that I need to follow or even exceed sometimes. I don’t look at it as pressure but an opportunity and I am really excited for it," he said.
New vigour
The 31-year-old pacer feels that his last year’s performance has given him “a lot of confidence” in his “ability and skill.”
“Probably this year I will be more confident. Last year it was a record-breaking season and then whatever I did for India it is all going to add up. It has given me a lot of confidence in my ability and skill and I will take that confidence and go in this year’s IPL.
Royal Challengers Bangalore recently appointed South Africa batter Faf du Plessis as the new skipper of the franchise. While talking about the new leader of the team, Patel said that he is “looking forward to playing under him.”
“I haven’t had any interaction with him before this but I really admire the kind of cricket that he plays, the way he carries himself and he is your role model. Really looking forward to playing under him,” Patel explained.
In the first match of IPL 2022, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 26.
Mumbai Indians frachise led by Rohit Sharma will have Delhi Capitals (DC), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Lucknow Super Giants in Group A. On the other hand, Group B is comprised of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans.
