Harshal Patel

A slower-ball expert whose dipping yorkers routinely challenge batters, Harshal Patel is a valuable pick for a T20 franchise, so valuable that Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him for US$ 1.4 million (Rs 10.75 crore) for the 2022 IPL - more than fifty times his previous salary - and for the 2024 IPL, he was the only Indian to be bought for over Rs 10 crore.

The 2021 IPL had been a breakthrough season for him, with chart-leading 32 wickets at a strike rate of 10.5, which is why RCB were happy to shell out the big bucks to hold onto him next season. It featured his maiden T20 five-for, which included the wickets of heavy hitters Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Ishan Kishan and Krunal Pandya. His IPL form also got him his India debut later that year. He went on to make the 2022 T20 World Cup squad, although he didn't get a game, having only recovered from a rib injury shortly before the tournament.

In the runs-heavy 2024 IPL season, he was once again the tournament's leading wicket-taker, with 24 at a strike rate of 12.2.

A right-arm seamer with a big outswinger who mostly bowls in the middle or death overs, Harshal could have moved to the USA with his family, but he stayed on in India to pursue cricket.

After taking 23 wickets at an impressive average of 11 in the 2008-09 Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, he made his List A debut for Gujarat in the same season. He played the 2010 U-19 World Cup and bagged an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians during the tournament.

But he had to wait two seasons to get his first IPL game. In the meantime, unable to find a place in the Gujarat side, Harshal moved to Haryana and made an immediate impact in his debut Ranji Trophy at the age of 21, running through Karnataka and Rajasthan with eight-fors in the quarter-final and semi-final in January 2012. He finished that Ranji season with 28 wickets and three months later, he made his IPL debut, for RCB.

Harshal, however, was largely seen as a back-up seamer in the RCB set-up and struggled to get a game. While his first-class form dipped in between, he made a strong comeback in the 2015-16 season, taking bundles of wickets in all formats, including a maiden List A five-for. He was retained by RCB ahead of the IPL 2016 player auction.

After fighting through a period of self-doubt, he roared back with 52 wickets in nine matches in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, breaking left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel's 36-year-old record for the most wickets in a season for Haryana.

But it was in the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that season where his all-round prowess came to the fore, with 19 wickets at an economy of 7.04 and 374 runs at a strike rate of 165.48.

There was more domestic bliss in store. In 2023, Harshal led Haryana to their first 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy title, with a joint-highest 19 wickets, including three in the final.

- After a slow start to his IPL career, Harshal Patel rose to prominence in 2021 when he equalled the record for most wickets in a season (32).

- He is best known for his slower balls, particularly one that dips on the batter, and has grown into a middle-overs and death bowler.

- He played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru for eight seasons, across two stints, before moving to Punjab Kings.

- He was picked up at the IPL 2025 mega auction by SRH for INR 8 crores.