IPL 2025: Harshal Patel Shines After Struggles in the U.S.

In the 2025 Indian Premier League season, Harshal Patel, representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been making headlines. Known for his crafty deliveries and ability to deceive top batters in the death overs, this “smart” bowler has become a widely discussed figure in the cricketing world. In last night’s match at Chepauk against Chennai Super Kings, Harshal Patel delivered a standout performance by taking four wickets, contributing significantly to Sunrisers’ victory. So far this season, he has taken 13 wickets in eight matches, showcasing his consistent impact. However, it may come as a surprise to many that this IPL star’s journey began in a perfume store in the United States.

Harshal Patel was born in Gujarat and migrated to the United States with his family at the age of 17. With limited opportunities to pursue cricket there, he took up a job at a perfume store owned by a Pakistani man in New Jersey, earning $35 a day (approximately ₹1,500–₹1,800 at the time). He faced not only language barriers, with limited proficiency in English, but also endured significant hardships and humiliations. Yet, he never let go of his love for cricket or his dream of returning to India to play the sport professionally. Eventually, he returned to India and devoted himself entirely to cricket.

What sets Harshal Patel apart as a bowler is his variation. In particular, his slow deliveries, off-cutters, yorkers, and pace changes during the death overs pose serious challenges to batters. While players like Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah rely on their unique actions to generate variations, Harshal Patel has mastered this art through skill, akin to the style of Dwayne Bravo. Even legendary batter AB de Villiers once remarked that facing Harshal Patel’s bowling was a challenge. His four-wicket haul (4/28) in the crucial match against Chennai Super Kings, which earned him the “Player of the Match” award, stands as a testament to his capabilities.

Harshal Patel’s IPL career has experienced several highs and lows. In 2021, while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, he clinched the Purple Cap with 32 wickets, equaling Dwayne Bravo’s record for most wickets in a single season. Despite this, Royal Challengers Bangalore released him. In the 2024 auction, Punjab Kings purchased him for ₹11.75 crore. Although he performed exceptionally that season with 24 wickets, Punjab released him ahead of the next auction. Regardless, since 2021, Harshal Patel has taken 102 wickets in the IPL, underlining his consistency.

Though Harshal Patel earned a place in the Indian T20 squad and played 25 matches, he is currently out of the national team. Despite facing neglect multiple times in his career, he never gave up. Rising from the role of a daily wage worker in a perfume shop to becoming a multi-crore IPL player and a clever bowler, his journey is a testament to his perseverance and self-confidence. His story serves as an inspiration to many young athletes, proving that with determination and skill, it is possible to overcome adverse circumstances and achieve success.