PBKS vs RCB: 'MS Dhoni couldn't hit six even if...' - Harshal Patel reveals how he outfoxed CSK legend

Punjab Kings' most expensive player at the IPL 2024 auction - Harshal Patel - has revealed how he picked up the wicket of MS Dhoni in Punjab's previous game against CSK. 

Harshal Patel had bowled an excellent dipping off-cutter to get MS Dhoni out on a golden duck for the first time in IPL 2024. That delivery was widely talked about afterwards with many claiming that Patel might have actually given birth to a new variation. The right-arm seamer, who has collected 17 wickets this season, will be in action later tonight against one of his former franchises - RCB. 

Harshal Patel reveals mindset before removing MS Dhoni for a golden duck 

While speaking to ESPNcricinfo in an exclusive interview, Harshal Patel had quite a lot of things to say. He was asked about a variety of things - from the season that he is having to how he has fitted into the Punjab Kings dressing room. One of the other topics was how he planned the wicket of MS Dhoni. 

"You're at the top of your mark, bowling to MS Dhoni, who has been in terrific hitting form. You get him with the dipping yorker. Did you plan that dismissal?" Patel was asked.

To its response, Harshal Patel revealed that his plan was not to bowl MS Dhoni a dipping slower ball, and the plan certainly wasn't to knock back his off-stump. The seamer stated that during net practice sessions, he had planned to go around the wicket against MSD and try to bowl a wide yorker. 

However, the conditions during the first IPL 2024 match in that fixture's venue - Dharamshala changed it all. Since the ball was coming off differently from his hand and because of the unexpected drift of the ball, Harshal Patel thought he should try the dipping slower ball. 

Harshal Patel, in his mind, knew that things would get easier for Punjab Kings if MS Dhoni got out and the delivery he bowled, manifested what he had thought. He admitted that he was very confident about his execution as he believed in himself that Dhoni wouldn't be able to hit for a six even if he picked the ball.  

"Before the innings I had planned to go around the stumps to him and bowl a wide yorker, but the way the ball was coming out of my hand and the way it was drifting, I thought, "Okay I'm going to take a chance here." And if I get him out, the 20th over becomes a lot easier for us."

"I was pretty confident with my execution. I thought, even if he sees it out of the hand, there's very little probability of him hitting that for six," Harshal Patel said via ESPNcricinfo. 

Harshal Patel to be in action against his former franchise

Meanwhile, Harshal Patel is all set to be in action later tonight against his former franchise - the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the HPCA stadium in Dharamshala. In their previous meeting, RCB had won the match and tonight both the teams will be eager for the win as it will boost their chances for the playoffs.