Harshal Patel shines with three-fer in his 100th IPL encounter
Punjab Kings' Harshal Patel bowled superbly in a low-scoring IPL 2024 encounter against Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The right-arm seamer took three wickets, albeit in a losing cause, as the Titans chased down a modest 143 in the final over. However, Harshal's second spell kept the hopes of PBKS alive in their defense. Notably, it was his 100th appearance in the cash-rich league
Was Harshal underutilized?
Harshal was first called into the attack into the fifth over, wherein he conceded seven runs. PBKS skipper Sam Curran recalled Harshal as GT were 101/4 (15). The former straightaway dismissed a set Azmatullah Omarzai. Harshal then bowled the 19th over, having dismissed Shahrukh Khan and Rashid Khan. However, victory was out of sight for PBKS. Harshal conceded 15 runs in three overs.
Harshal's 100th IPL match
As mentioned, Harshal featured in his 100th IPL match. He has raced to 124 wickets at an average and economy rate of 23.79 and 8.67. His tally in the league includes two four-wicket hauls and a fifer. Before joining PBKS, Harshal was a mainstay seamer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He still has the second-most IPL wickets for them (99).
Joint-most wickets in IPL 2024
Harshal now has the joint-most wickets in the ongoing IPL season with Jasprit Bumrah. The former owns 13 scalps from eight games at 21.38. Notably, Harshal owns the joint-most wickets in an IPL season (32 in 2021) with Dwayne Bravo.
PBKS vs GT: A look at match summary
Sam Curran and Prabhsimran Singh took PBKS past 50 in the Powerplay after they elected to bat. GT used their spinners wisely thereafter, bringing the visitors were down to 99/7. Harpreet Brar's 12-ball 29 eventually powered PBKS, who perished for 142. GT skipper Shubman Gill led their charge before Rahul Tewatia got them home. Harshal's spell of three wickets went in vain.
