Harshal Patel reveals what Mike Hesson told after RCB did not retain him

Harshal Patel came into the spotlight during the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. In IPL 2020, he was a member of the Delhi Capitals squad, but just before the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him in the trade window. 

In his first game for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 14th edition of the Indian Premier League, Harshal Patel made history by becoming the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul against the Mumbai Indians in the tournament’s history.

Patel continued his excellent form and ended the IPL 2021 season as the most successful bowler among all teams. He took a hat-trick in the competition and nearly missed out on breaking Dwayne Bravo’s record for the most IPL wickets by a bowler in one season. 

At the culmination of the 2021 IPL season, Patel was adjudged the Man of the Series and the Purple Cap winner. Surprisingly though the Royal Challengers Bangalore did not retain him ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. 

The Bangalore-based franchise retained the trio of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj ahead of the previous season’s Purple Cap winner. 

Harshal Patel discloses why the Royal Challengers Bangalore released him

In an exclusive interview with CricTracker, Harshal Patel was asked to reveal the communication he had with the franchise before the 2022 auction. Here’s what the fast bowler replied: 

“When I was not retained, Mike Hesson (RCB’s Director of Cricket) called me and said, that it was mainly purse management. They would obviously love to have me back in the team and I too would obviously would love to go back and play for the team because RCB and this season (2021) changed my entire career and my entire life.”

Ahmedabad and Lucknow can draft three players each before the mega auction, but it seems none of them have approached Harshal. 

“However, in terms of auction, I haven’t heard from any franchises yet,” Patel concluded.