A small tip by Zaheer Khan made a massive difference in my consistency: Harshal Patel
Indian pacer Harshal Patel has revealed how a small piece of advice from the veteran pacer Zaheer Khan helped him to modify his bowling in a positive manner. The 31-year-old has been in the form of his life. His performance in the fourteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) resulted in him making his international debut for India, the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand.
While representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021, the bowling all-rounder went on to pick the most number of wickets in the season and thus, won the purple cap award. He picked 32 wickets in 15 games at an average of 14.34. The pacer was superb at the death and was one of the major reasons why his side went on to make it to the playoffs.
Thus, he went on to win the MVP award of the tournament too. The seamer then continued his good form in international cricket, as he went on to win the player of the match award on his T20I debut against the Kiwis. He then backed it up by a brilliant performance in his second game as well.
An interaction with Zaheer Khan influenced Harshal Patel’s career
When Patel was with the Delhi Capitals, he had got a chance to chat with the former left-arm seamer. He revealed the fact that he had an issue with his deliveries drifting down the leg stump, and how he spoke to the veteran pacer about the same.
“When I was with DC and we were playing MI, I got a chance to speak with Zaheer bhai. I have this massive problem of my deliveries drifting down the leg stump, and I spoke to him about it. He spotted an issue with my release angle. With my angle, if I pitch the ball on the off-stump, it will automatically drift to the leg stump.” said Harshal Patel while speaking to The Indian Express.
The Haryana pacer then addressed the tweak that the 43-year-old had suggested. “The release angle should target the sixth or seventh stump line and then the ball will hit the off stump, he advised me. A small tip made a massive difference in my consistency and changed me as a bowler,” he said.
Thus, this helped him work on his variations, and in return, helped him develop as a bowler. The pacer’s death-bowling was absolutely spot on throughout IPL 2021. Even the best of the best batters were deceived by his variations.
