IPL 2022: Playing for India has given me a lot of confidence in my ability and skill – Harshal Patel

Indian medium pacer Harshal Patel feels playing for the national team has given him a lot of confidence in his ability and skill.

Patel had received his maiden call-up after impressing in the previous season of the IPL 2021, in which he scalped 32 wickets in 15 matches for RCB. Patel also made the record of most wickets in one season of the IPL.

The right-arm pacer from Haryana has snared 11 wickets in eight T20Is for the Men in Blue at an average of 22.95 and economy rate of 8.52. Patel made an impressive debut against New Zealand in November 2021 as he returned with figures of 2-25 in his quota of four overs. Consequently, he was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine show.

Meanwhile, RCB did not retain Harshal Patel before the IPL mega auction as they had retained Virat Kohli, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. However, the Bengaluru-based franchise brought back Patel for a whopping amount of INR 10.75 Crores in the mega auction.

Harshal Patel said on RCB YouTube Channel, “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.”

“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.”

On the other hand, Faf du Plessis will lead RCB in the upcoming season of the IPL. This will be the first time when the former South African captain will lead any IPL team. Patel is looking forward to playing under du Plessis’ captaincy.

“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. We were chatting about the same before the event and he said all the right things and ticked all the right boxes and I am very happy that he is going to be our leader.”

RCB start their IPL 2022 campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 27.