In India’s domestic circuit, Harshal Patel isn’t a new name when it comes to cricket. He has even been playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for quite a few seasons now. However, he has come into the limelight only after his recent performances in the ongoing 11th edition of the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils (DD). Before IPL 2018, Patel was with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the previous years.
This season, Harshal has earned his place in the DD squad, especially after in batting exploits. However, it took him quite some time to be a part of the playing XI in the season. But when he got in, he made sure that he performs as an all-rounder for the team. Harshal Patel was promoted up the order in the game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) earlier this season.
He found some success during his useful knock of 24 before sacrificing his wicket for Rishabh Pant in a miscommunication at the crease. And now, in the most recent game for his side against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Patel showed that his knock against the Sunrisers was not just a fluke.
WATCH – Delhi batsmen thwack Dwayne Bravo for 26 runs in the last over
In fact, Patel proved to be a shade better against CSK as he played an unbeaten knock of 36 off just 16 balls with the help of one four and three sixes to his name. His boundaries included three towering maximums against Dwayne Bravo in the last over of the innings. Certainly, the fans went gaga about his blistering knock.
Twitterati hailed Harshal for his blistering nock and more importantly, they felt that Patel can actually be a better all-rounder than Hardik Pandya. In the ongoing edition of the IPL, Hardik Pandya has been struggling to make an impact with his bat and hence the fans did not miss out on the opportunities to draw comparisons between the two cricketers. Whether the fans trolled Hardik or praised Patel, we can leave it to the reader’s point of view.
Here is how the Twitterati reacted to the cameo of Harshal Patel:
I hv been seen many plyrs in hitting sixes in this #IPL2018 bt really impressed wd #HarshalPatel #DDvCSK
If m selector definitely pick him for team India wd @hardikpandya7What u think Mr. Specialist @cricketaakash @jatinsapru #KentCricketLIVE #Vivoipl2018
— Brijendra Yadav INC 🇮🇳 (@BjFddi) May 18, 2018
Harshal Patel is a real competition to Hardik Pandya now ! #DDvCSK
— Arghyadeep (@sportymanches) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/adeptatul/status/997510585938948096
https://twitter.com/tejas_pujare/status/997510841703510017
