What a blockbuster start to IPL 2021: Harshal Patel, the fast bowler of Royal Challengers Bangalore became the first-ever bowler in the history of IPL to take a five-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021 opening match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Harshal Patel, who was traded from Delhi Capitals ahead of the ongoing season of the IPL to his former side RCB made a blockbuster start in the first game on his return for RCB. Patel turned out to be a game-changer for RCB as he picked a fifer against Mumbai Indians to restrict the opposition to just 159/8 in the first game.
Harshal achieved the landmark when he clean bowled Marco Jansen with the slow yorker in the 20th over. Earlier in the over, he dismissed big hitters Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard off successive deliveries. He could’ve made a hat-trick however, his slow yorker to Jansen narrowly missed the leg-stump.
He had earlier dismissed Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya cheaply and finished the innings with 5 for 27 in 4 overs.
“You can’t look at the opposition all the time. You must focus on your planning and execution,” Patel said during the innings break. “It was very clear from the beginning that I would bowl two at the death, but luckily I got three. This is my first five-wicket haul in T20s. Feels good that it’s come against Mumbai.”
Meanwhile, as soon as the first innings came to an end, social media was already flooded with amazing reactions from the fans on Harsha’s fifer. While many praised the bowler for his stunning performance against the most successful team, on the other hand, many came up with hilarious memes and jokes to it.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on Harshal’s blockbuster performance:
Harshal Patel bowling better spin than Chahal in this match. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 9, 2021
RCB is like the semi-final of Indian Team selection.
Harshal Patel. See you in Gabba 😉
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) April 9, 2021
When Chahal was busy convincing other cricketers to make Instagram reels with his wife, Harshal Patel was practising in the nets. #RCBvMI
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) April 9, 2021
Harshal Patel in first over – 0/15
Harshal Patel in next three overs – 5/12He bowed the 16th, 18th & 20th over.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 9, 2021
Harshal Patel in this match vs MI:-
•First Over – 15 Runs
•Next Over – 12/5.He bowled 20th Over (W,W,0,W,0,1). Just Exceptional from Harshal Patel. Brilliant bowling Performance. #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/j0CA3F9Bjv
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) April 9, 2021
What a finish at the death by RCB! And Harshal Patel’s fifer! Wow. ? #RCB #MIvRCB #IPL2021
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) April 9, 2021
Harshal Patel in today’s match #RCBvsMI pic.twitter.com/0RTmppmZJ7
— Robisixtree (@RSixtree) April 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/peachworld26/status/1380548606969585665?s=20
Played with Harshal Patel over Saini on this slow Pitch …But no one will praise him ? #captainkohli #MIvsRCB pic.twitter.com/jBnwnuWIBZ
— Jay Rathore (@viratian_jay) April 9, 2021
Harshal Patel, the game changer. ?
#MIvsRCB
— Unnati Madan (@unnati_madan) April 9, 2021
