IPL 2024: Aakash Chopra expresses thoughts on Punjab Kings acquiring Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel, Aakash Chopra (Pic: AFP/File Pic)

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that Punjab Kings went for Harshal Patel because the franchise needed an experienced Indian bowler to bowl along with their star speedster Arshdeep Singh.

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Dubai last year, the Punjab franchise toppled the Gujarat Titans and the Lucknow Super Giants with a prize of Rs 11.75 crores for Harshal's skills.

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The former cricketer and commentator said that the Punjab Kings previously had just one Indian bowler Arshdeep Singh- this might be the reason, the franchise was looking for an Indian bowler who can bowl with him and in death overs as well.

"They had an Indian fast bowler in the form of Arshdeep (Singh) but apart from him, all their fast bowlers were overseas, whether it was Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis or Sam Curran. So they needed a partner for Arshdeep who could provide some help in the death overs or with the new ball," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Further, the former India batter said that they were committed during Harshal's bid and the management wanted him in their squad at any cost. They bought the right-arm pacer for Rs. 11.75 crores.

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"Although I like their overseas recruits - Rabada and Nathan Ellis - a lot, it's not the right thing if you are forced to play both of them with Sam Curran. So they bought Harshal Patel for 11.75 crores. They were committed, they said they wanted this player at any cost," the 46-year-old added.

So far, Harshal Patel has featured in 178 T20 matches in which he registered 209 wickets at an average of 23.88. Patel has 3 four-wicket hauls and 1 five-wicket haul registered to his name in this format. With 1,235 runs scored including four half-centuries, he is also handy with the bat.

His best bowling figures in T20 cricket is five wickets for 27 runs which came against Mumbai Indians while playing for his previous franchise Royal Challengers Banglore in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. He became the first bowler to claim a 5-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians in IPL.

(With ANI Inputs)