Harshal Patel opens up on Virat, AB, Maxwell, praising his deceptive slower delivery

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowler Harshal Patel gave his career a new lease of life last year as he managed to claim as many as 32 scalps in 15 games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021; the highest in that season. While Harshal has many tricks up his sleeves to disguise the batters, his repertoire of slower deliveries is an effective weapon, especially in T20 cricket.

Before 2021, the 31-year-old found it tough to survive in the cricketing world. But as the Gujarat-born worked upon his strength, RCB handed him an INR 10.75 crore deal in the IPL 2022 mega auction since he emerged as the star performer of the franchise in the previous season.

On a YouTube show, 'Breakfast with Champions', Harshal narrated an incident when Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers were pleasantly surprised by his slower deliveries.

"AB (de Villiers), Virat and Maxi (Maxwell) have stated that (it is impossible to catch his slower ball out of hand). So I bowled a few slower balls to Maxi, and he comes out of the nets and says, 'mate, no way they are hitting this.' When people like him, Virat or AB say that, you think, 'if they are not seeing it out of the hand, who else can?' Huge confidence booster," Harshal told host Gaurav Kapur.

While Patel's performance remains hidden from no one, he shared a backstory that not many would know. The Haryana captain shared that he mastered the difficult art by seeking guidance from Zaheer Khan.

"If I have to look at someone who legitimised slower ball, [it] was Zaheer Khan in the 2011 World Cup. The way he got people out with those knuckleballs was unbelievable to watch. I got my education in T20 bowling from him. I started with RCB in 2012, and he used to come up to me every single ball and tell me what I need to bowl," he added.

Meanwhile, the IPL 2021 Purple Cap winner has taken nine wickets in seven matches so far in the ongoing season of the TATA IPL. RCB is currently placed at the fifth place, with 10 points in eight games.