Bowler Harshal Patel roped in by Punjab Kings For Rs 11.75 Cr. Earlier, he had a tremendous stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier. He was released by RCB this year.
Harshal Patel has emerged as the most expensive Indian purchase in the 2024 IPL auction, securing a contract with Punjab Kings for a substantial sum of Rs 11.75 crore. The bidding process, initiated by Gujarat Titans at Harshal’s base price of Rs 2 crore, quickly escalated into a neck-and-neck battle between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings. Eventually, Punjab Kings outlasted the competition, and Gujarat Titans withdrew from the bidding, allowing Punjab Kings to acquire Harshal Patel for the significant amount mentioned. This outcome underscores Harshal Patel’s value in the eyes of the franchises and reflects the competitive nature of the IPL auction.
The Punjab Kings have Harshal Patel for a whopping price of INR 11.75 Crore 🔥🔥#IPLAuction | #IPL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 19, 2023
The medium pacer, who had been associated with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since 2012, experienced a breakthrough in his second stint with the team in 2021. During that season, he made a significant impact by claiming the Purple Cap, awarded to the leading wicket-taker, after securing 32 wickets in 15 games. His impressive bowling performance continued in 2022, where he added 19 more wickets to his tally.
His remarkable contributions played a crucial role in RCB’s qualification for the playoffs in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Despite a comparatively quieter season the previous year, during which he picked up 14 wickets in 13 games, there are high expectations for his performance with his new franchise. His consistent wicket-taking ability and past successes make him a valuable asset, and fans anticipate that he will continue to excel in the upcoming IPL season.
The 2024 IPL auction in Dubai features a pool of 333 players, comprising 214 Indian cricketers and 119 overseas players, all vying for a spot in the squads of the 10 participating teams. Despite the substantial number of players available, the teams collectively have only 77 slots open.
