Harshal Patel to don RCB colours

Haryana bowler Harshal Patel’s decision to stay back in India only to play cricket as oppose to his parents who moved to the US a couple of years ago seems to be paying rich dividends now. After his recent heroics of a double eight wicket haul against Karnataka and Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy, the 21-year-old has earned the a contract from the Royal Challengers Bangalore and will join the camp in March.

Annoucing the deal, team owner Siddhartha Mallya tweeted, “Harshal’s recent performances speak volumes for his immense potential and talent, and we are happy to have another Indian youngerster on board.”

“He joins Andrew McDonald as our 2^nd signing,” Junior Mallya added in his tweet.

Patel showed tremendous confidence against a star-studded Karnataka squad in the Ranji quarterfinal here in Bangalore where Haryana outclassed the team by the end of third day’s play. Haryana beat the hosts by six wickets to enter the semis against Rajasthan. Patel picked up eight for 40 against Karnataka and repeated the feat against campions Rajasthan with eight for 34.

It has been learnt that the RCB officials first got in touch with Patel after his eight wicket haul against Karmnataka. However, then, the contract was not offered to him right away. He was asked to attend the trials in Bangalore. But when the Gujarati lad picked up eight Rajasthan scalps again in Rohtak, RCB got in touch with the medium pacer and offered the contract right away. “I am really happy to be playing for this team,” stated an overjoyed Patel. “I am really looking forward to it. Venkatesh Prasad is the bowling coach and with Anil Kumble as the mentor I am hoping to learn a lot and improve my bowling. I have always looked up to them and this is a great oppurtunity for me,” said a coy-natured Patel.

The Under-19 India player had earlier attended the Mumbai Indians camp in 2010 but he didn’t figure in the playing 11. This year however bowling to the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Dishan and de Villiers will be a whole new ball game for the young lad. Playing the Indian Premier League will be far different from playing the 4-day game and the youngster is aware of it. “I learnt a lot during my camp with Mumbai Indians. I was taught how to work on my variations in a T20 format. I learnt how to bowl in death overs. Bowling T20 is very different and the lessons I learnt there helped me with my T20 first class games,” Patel told Sportskeeda.com.

Patel is one of the only few youngsters who have done exceedingly well at this year’s Ranji Trophy and at the rate at which the Indian bowlers are struggling Down Under against the Australians in the ongoing Tests, it’s time the cricket board invests their time and money in bowlers like Harshal Patel and groom them to be India’s future.