Back in December 2021, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) released Harshal Patel, who surprisingly was the Purple Cap holder in the 2021 edition of the IPL. Patel had equalled Dwayne Bravo’s tally for the most number of wickets in a single IPL edition. The decision to let him go did raise quite a few eyebrows.
But the RCB management brought Harshal Patel back in the IPL 2022 auction at a price of INR 10.75 crores. After registering at a base price of NR 2 crore, the Challengers and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) started the bidding war for Harshal.
Soon after the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) also joined into bag Harshal Patel in the IPL mega auction. In the end, RCB bagged Patel for INR 10.75 crores.
RCB released Harshal Patel before IPL auction for purse management
Earlier, Patel had said that RCB released him in order to manage their purse. In 2021, Patel earned a mere INR 20 lakhs. “When I was not retained, Mike Hesson called me and said, that it was mainly purse management,” Patel was quoted as saying.
After a stupendous campaign in IPL 2021, Patel also went on to make his debut for Team India in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. In 63 IPL matches, Patel has picked up 78 wickets at an economy rate of 8.58 with one five-wicket haul to show for his efforts.
He also picked up a hat-trick against the Mumbai Indians (MI), led by Rohit Sharma, in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021. Harshal Patel made his IPL debut way back in 2012, but it’s only in the 2021 edition that he’s been able to make an impact.
RCB, in the meantime, also drafted in Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga at a price of INR 10.75 crores. The Sunrisers, Punjab Kings and the Challengers were involved in a bidding war before RCB secured his services.
Hasaranga is currently in Australia where he’s taking part in the five-match T20I series against Aaron Finch and Co. In the first game at the SCG, he picked up a three-wicket haul. Hasaranga is also more than a handy batter who can play the big shots in the situation demands him to do so.
