
IPL 2022 featured another controversial incident last night in Pune. It involved Royal Challengers Bangalore’s star player Harshal Patel and Rajasthan Royals‘ rising star Riyan Parag. During the Rajasthan innings, Parag smashed 18 runs off the last over bowled by Patel. He whacked two sixes and a four in the last six balls.
Soon after, both players were spotted having a heated exchange while on their way to the dugout once the innings end. The other player tried to separate Riyan Parag and Harshal Patel. Things did not end there.
After the match ended, players from both teams shook hands as has been the tradition in sports. But when Riyan Parag went to shake Harshal’s hands, the latter refused. The video of the same has gone viral.
Some fans have pointed out how Harshal Patel is going through a lot of things in his personal life. Many members of the cricket universe would know that he lost his sister recently.
Riyan had a memorable night as he scored a match-winning fifty for the Rajasthan Royals. The all-rounder won the Man of the Match award for his incredible knock, and here’s what he said at the post-match presentation:
Twitterati react as Harshal Patel does not shake hands with Riyan Parag
Here’s how the cricket universe on Twitter reacted as Harshal Patel did not agree to shake hands with his rival from the Rajasthan Royals team. While some fans were unhappy and said that it was against the sportsman spirit, a few of them backed Patel as well:
This is totally unacceptable @HarshalPatel23 not a true sportsman spirit https://t.co/DSV2rbOmlH
— Maulik Vadariya (@MaulikVadariya) April 26, 2022
I'm sorry but this is not Sportsmanship @HarshalPatel23 !! https://t.co/ZhaEFnSplT
— S!D 🍊 (@OptimistSiD) April 26, 2022
Maybe he has still not overcame from his sister's demise, he is not arroagant for sure, just mood off ig https://t.co/3ng2NqP024
— v. (@v1mal7) April 26, 2022
This is not good. I don't what happened btw them earlier. Who said what. But this is not the way to behave. Same thing happened btw Chahal & Harshal last time. https://t.co/0Mh9XHVq7w
— Cornered Citizen (@CorneredCtizen) April 26, 2022
Leave him…he's undergoing a tough situation…. don't pinpoint #HarshalPatel … https://t.co/AwgmQT64CB
— Ksp Mihir (@MihirKsp) April 26, 2022
I don't know what was said but if it wasn't anything personal, then really poor from Harshal to not even shake hands with Riyan after the match.. https://t.co/PaqQ1pUK6g
— Kaushik Saboo (@KaushikSaboo) April 26, 2022
Harshal is a nice guy, maybe due to that demise of his sister he is off mood, hope we won't see any such things later in his career https://t.co/yDXcFcwxeG
— Koksal (@Koksal_PBKS) April 26, 2022
OH MY GOD! Harshal didn't shake hands with Parag! 😮 pic.twitter.com/oCWjGzyxM3
— Rushil (@rushilthefirst) April 26, 2022
Harshal vs riyan parag fight#RCBvsRR #parag #HarshalPatel #IPL20222 pic.twitter.com/Xotv4DGF8T
— John cage (@john18376) April 26, 2022
Harshal Patel not giving handshake to riyan parag at end of the game. Very #unsportive move. @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/3MD4MrGKV7
— Kiran (@Kiran14288265) April 26, 2022