Vivo IPL 2021: Former Indian cricketer and KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir heaps praise on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel for his outstanding presentation of abilities for his team in the Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) season fourteen.
The Gujrat-born RCB pacer has been phenomenal in the ongoing edition of the IPL. The pacer has managed to pick wickets on most occasions with a remarkable average. Harshal Patel is currently holding the purple cap with 26 wickets from 12 matches.
In spite of bowling the toughest overs in a T20 match, Patel has managed to keep his economy under 8.5 and averages 14.34. As per the stats, the pacer has been picking up wickets in every 10.23 delivery he bowls in the Vivo IPL 2021.
Gambhir, while speaking with ESPNcricinfo, praised the pacer’s abilities and efforts to successfully deliver in most difficult overs.
“Harshal Patel has been the bowler of the season. He has bowled the most difficult overs for his side. Bowling death overs continuously against so many great batters in this IPL, and taking 5 wickets in one match and 4 in the other against MI, shows how successful he has been,” said Gautam Gambhir.
The world cup winning cricketer also applauded RCB’s effort to pull off things in the latter part of the match. The main issue with RCB bowlers is that they have been ineffective in picking up wickets in the powerplays.
As per the stats, none of the RCB bowlers has picked a wicket in the first six overs in phase two of the Vivo IPL 2021. In 30 powerplay overs, RCB failed to create impact and on top of that leaked runs at a rate of 9.2 per over.
Gambhir also lavishes praise on Yuzvendra Chahal’s valuable run in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021.
“Despite having poor stars with the ball in the powerplay, Bangalore managed to bounce back and win their matches. All the credit goes to Harshal Patel and Yuzi Chahal.”
ALSO READ: Vivo IPL: MS Dhoni confirms to play at least one more season of the Indian Premier League
Bowlers win you the matches, not batters: Gautam Gambhir
The two times IPL winning captain for KKR further opined that the batters only set the team up, while the bowlers help you win matches.
“You can talk about Kohli, Ab de Villiers, or Maxwell, but the truth is batters only set the team up but bowlers win you matches. Because if the batters would’ve won the games, RCB would’ve won IPL 3 or 4 times.”
RCB has struggled drastically over the past few years in its death bowling department. The bowlers leaked runs and couldn’t manage to pick up wickets. However, the issue seems to be resolved with the addition of Harshal Patel to the squad.
“The main issue over the past few years for the RCB was their death bowling. And Harshal has now taken that responsibility on his shoulders single-handedly. That’s why he has the purple cap as well.”
ALSO READ: IPL 2022 Mega Auction Details, 10 IPL Teams, New Rules: All you need to know
