3 reasons why PBKS must drop Harshal Patel for IPL 2024 clash vs MI

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) host the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 33rd match of IPL 2024 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Stadium in Mullanpur on April 18, Thursday.

The visitors have been rather poor away from home this season, and will be tested severely by the hosts' strong batting and bowling lineup. One of the weak cogs in the PBKS wheel has been seamer Harshal Patel, who is generally extremely accurate and economical.

Despite picking up seven wickets this season, he has not been at his best in getting to restrict opposition teams to low totals.

In this listicle, we give you three reasons why PBKS must drop Harshal Patel for their clash against MI.

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#1 He has been unable to find his feet this season

Patel, who is usually extremely economical in the IPL, has struggled to find his feet for PBKS this season.

Although he returned figures of 1-21 against RR in their previous game in Mullanpur and also picked up two wickets against SRH in the game prior to that, he has not been his usual self.

This may also be due to the increased fatigue that comes with the excessive travelling that the IPL involves, although PBKS have played two games on the trot at home.

Although he has picked up seven wickets in total this season, he has been far from his best when it comes to accuracy.

He has been expensive in all the games that he has played so far.

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#2 They can bring Vidwath Kaverappa in

Promising youngster Vidwath Kaverappa can be given an opportunity if Patel is left out.

The Karnataka seamer has a splendid first-class record of 80 wickets, to go with the 38 and 23 he has picked up in the one-day and T20 formats respectively.

However, he has not made his bow in the IPL yet, and this might be the right opportunity to see how well he fares.

Kaverappa is known to swing the ball as well as hit the right areas when it matters the most and it will be interesting to see how he fills the boots of Patel.

The PBKS management might be tempted to see how the 25-year-old from Coorg lives up to expectations in the IPL.

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#3 Harshal Patel need some time off the game to rediscover his form

Despite picking up seven wickets, Patel has not been at his best this season. [IPL]

As mentioned earlier, Patel has not been at his most economical in the IPL this season, and will do well to take some time off the game.

This might allow him to relax and refresh mentally and also come back stronger when his team needs him.

Known for his searing yorkers at the death, Patel has struggled with his economy this season and given away plenty of runs just when his team needed him to contain the opposition.

PBKS must drop him from their playing XI in order to give him some time to reflect, switch off and rectify the mistakes that he has made so far.