Harshal Patel relishes Player of Match award on T20I debut: It’s been a great journey, taught me life lessons

The India debut might have come late but Haryana workhorse Harshal Patel made the most of it in Ranchi on Friday. The 30-year-old, who became India’s sixth oldest T20I debutant, shone on a dewy evening, executing his strengths and variations with the confidence of a veteran India bowler. He finished with figures of 2/25 that won him the Player of the Match award on a memorable first outing in India blue.

Harshal Patel was told by former India cricketer-turned commentator Murali Kartik that he had played with him in domestic cricket during the post-match presentation ceremony on Friday. The Haryana bowler had made his domestic debut as early as 2009 and had to wait 12 years to don the India jersey.

IND vs NZ, 2nd T20I In Ranchi: Report | Highlights

It has been a ride filled with ups and downs as Harshal has merited place in the India squad plenty of times in the past with consistent performances in domestic cricket. He picked up 52 wickets the last time Ranji Trophy was played in the pre-Covid-19 era. At IPL 2021, Harshal made sure the selectors could no longer ignore him by picking up a record-equalling tally of 32 wickets for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite winning the Purple Cap, Harshal missed the bus to the T20 World Cup.

An injury to Mohammed Siraj in the first T20I against New Zealand meant Harshal’s 12-year-long wait ended on Friday. As the pacer acknowledged, he could not have had a better start to his T20I career.

Shedding light on his long journey in domestic cricket, Harshal said the ups and downs in his career has taught him life lessons that will come in handy even after he finishes as a professional cricketer.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better debut. The progress is gradual and slow. For someone like me who is not exceptionally talented, I had to build my game from ground up. I made mistakes and then found things that I can and cannot do well. It has been a great journey and has taught me many lessons which will hold me in good stead even after cricket,” Harshal said.

“The match did run through. When you are in the process you just get engrossed. It will sink in and it has been a great game,” he added.

NEED TO KNOW WHAT WORKS FOR YOU: HARSHAL ON EXECUTING VARIATIONS

Harshal gave a sneak peek into his thought process after the match-winning show in Ranchi. For a man who has mastered the art of using his variations in T20s, the 30-year-old said he doesn’t believe in having too many variations but execute the ones he has with clarity.

That’s exactly what he did on Friday as he got the big wicket of Daryl Mitchell with a slower one in his very 2nd over in international cricket. He then returned at the death, which has become his favorite bowling period, to remove Glenn Phillips who was going great guns. Harshal outfoxed the big-hitter with a slower one that he dug into the pitch in the 17th over.

“I feel you don’t need too many variations. You just need to know what works for you and need to package it well. I couldn’t bowl those yorkers and loopy slower ones in these conditions. The yorker is a delivery I would like to use and get better at. I have seen myself fall into shiny things so many times,” he added.

The expectations are high after a memorable debut but Harshal is clear about his goals in the future.

“It (international cricket) is another platform for me to come, perform and show my skills. Just want to do that and enjoy whatever comes my way,” he added.

Having sealed an unbeatable 2-0 series lead, India will be looking to complete a sweep when they face New Zealand in Kolkata on Sunday.