IPL 2022: Have tried to improve my sequencing – Harshal Patel after match-winning spell against CSK

Royal Challengers Bangalore medium-pacer Harshal Patel has revealed that he has tried to improve his sequence of deliveries by varying his pace.

Patel bowled a match-winning spell of 3-35 in his quota of four overs against defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Wednesday.

Patel accounted for Moeen Ali, Dwaine Pretorius, and Ravindra Jadeja and thus provided crucial wickets towards the fag end of the innings. The right-arm pacer made good use of hard length balls and flummoxed Moeen Ali with a slower ball, which has been his strength.

Patel feels it is important for a bowler to have clarity in his mind in order to execute his skills and he was able to do that for Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday.

In fact, CSK were in a good position to win as they were 109-3 at one stage but Patel provided the crucial wickets in the end for his team. Patel was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine spell.

Harshal said in the post-match presentation, “I think in the first over, the slower balls I tried to bowl it into the wicket but it kind of floated onto the bat. I have been trying to improve my sequencing. I am glad I was able to come back. To both the left-handers, I was asked to bowl wide outside off so that they hit to the larger side of the ground. One thing is need to be aware of the conditions and then what the batter is trying to do. Then you should know what kind of balls you can execute. Till the time you have clarity when you are at the top of the mark, you should be fine. When people are waiting for the slower balls, my hard length balls and my yorkers are released. Till now this season I have not been able to bowl those but hopefully will do it in the business end of the tournament.”

On the other hand, Glenn Maxwell also played a key role in RCB’s win as he took two wickets in his four overs and conceded only 22 runs. Maxwell dismissed Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu to put his team in front.

Maxwell said after the game, “Over the moon. Really good bowling effort. We felt there is enough tackiness in the wicket that we were able to exploit with the spinners and for the pacers to hold their nerve against some powerful death hitters to finish off the game was good. The way Moeen and Jadeja bowled, it showed the finger spinners were getting a bit of hold and grip.

For me, it was about bowling within the stumps and changing the seam angle to try and get that variable spin. It helps that they had two lefties and I was able to spin the ball away. Just gives us another option with the ball at the back end as well. Shuts down one side of the ground [on bowling from round the wicket to the right-hander].

The Robin one if I do that from over the stumps, would have been more of a pull shot, which is his strength. To cramp him and not give room was key I guess. Hopefully, we can ride this momentum and winning momentum is hard to stop. Our bowling group is starting to gel and I feel we are going in the right direction. Hopefully, we haven’t left it too late and we can peak right towards the finals and find a way into the top four and do some damage in the finals.”

RCB will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.