I Went Through A Cycle Of Crippling Pre-game Anxiety, It Was So Bad And I Used To Get Exhausted – Harshal Patel

Star Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel has opened up on facing anxiety issues ahead of playing the cricket matches, asserting that he went “through a cycle of crippling pre-game anxiety”.

Harshal Patel has been one of the most improved bowlers in recent times and he has been performing well consistently since winning the purple cap in the Indian Premier League 2021.

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Speaking on the YouTube show, ‘Breakfast with Champions’, Harshal Patel said that he used to suffer from anxiety and he needed to use the washroom once every two minutes. He added that his anxiety was very exhausting as well. He said:

“I went through a cycle of crippling pre-game anxiety. Like I would have to go and pee probably once every two minutes, right from when I wake up on game day to the moment where I bowl the first ball.

“The anxiety was so bad and I used to get so exhausted that I would want the match to end so that I could go and sleep. I still have it but now I look at it as a part of the game.”

Harshal Patel also revealed that legendary batter AB de Villiers also faced anxiety issues.

He said: “I remember probably last season when I was having a conversation with AB. He said the same thing, ‘I am pissing myself before every game.’ If that is happening to somebody like AB de Villiers, who am I? You get an affirmation that you’re not alone.”

Daniel Vettori said we don’t see you playing for the next 4-5 games –Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel, during the same conversation, revealed that during his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League 2017 Daniel Vettori had told him to go back home as they were not going to play him in 4-5 games.

“I played five games in 2016 and didn’t play anything after that. Then the same thing in 2017. I vividly remember Avinash Vaidya had called me in the room and he said that Dan Vettori wants to talk to me.

“So he met me at the breakfast area at Ritz Carlton and he said, ‘We don’t see you playing for the next 4-5 games. We are sending you home but we will call you back,'” he maintained.

Harshal Patel added that he requested Daniel Vettori to give him a chance to play and he got the opportunity against Delhi where he picked three wickets to win the Player of the Match award.

“It was the epitome of rejection as I am not even a part of the team. I remember after 4-5 games when RCB were knocked out and we were not going to qualify. I messaged Vettori saying give me a game. That was the first time I actually sold myself to anyone.”

Also Read: IPL 2022: There Were 3-4 People From Different Franchises Who Said We’ll Bid For You But No One Did – Harshal Patel Recalls 2018 IPL Auction

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