After having a tough start in the IPL 2022 against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Harshal Patel made a resounding comeback in RCB’s second match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction
Harshal Patel bowled a phenomenal spell of 2/11 from four overs as KKR were bowled out for 128 in the first innings. The 31-year-old got the wicket of England player Sam Billings in his first over, Harshal bowled short as the wicketkeeper-batter holed out to Virat Kohli at long-on.
It looked as Harshal Patel was spared for Andre Russell: Ravi Shastri
In his next over, Harshal got the outside edge of the dangerous Andre Russell with a scrambled-seam ball pitched outside the off-stump. Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri said that Harshal doesn’t bowl to overawe anyone and the Haryana pacer holds enough confidence within himself.
“I have had chats with him in the Indian team, he knows his bowling. He is confident and he is not overawed bowling to anybody. It looked as if he was spared for Andre Russell, which is a big thing. A lot of people can get overawed and intimidated,” Shastri was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
RCB vs KKR: Harshal Patel achieved a rare feat in IPL
Interestingly, Harshal’s first two overs ended as maiden wicket overs. The Haryana pacer became the second bowler in the IPL to achieve this milestone. Harshal’s current teammate Mohammed Siraj was the first bowler to reach the landmark during his 3/8 against the same franchise in IPL 2020 in Abu Dhabi where KKR finished 84/8 in the first innings.
RCB chased the target in the final over after they slumped at the start of the innings. Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik hit a six and a four off the first two balls bowled by Andre Russell to take his side to the finish line.
RCB will play their next fixture against Rajasthan Royals on April 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
