India all-rounder Harshal Patel was snapped up by Punjab Kings for a whopping INR 11.75 crore at the Indian Premier League 2024 mini-auction in Dubai on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Harshal had set himself a base price of INR 2 crore but went for almost six times that amount after causing a bidding war among PBKS and Gujarat Giants. (Blog | Streaming | Full Coverage)
Both Ahmedabad and the new venue in Mohali have longer boundaries and Harshal's death bowling as well as a variety of slower balls, including a deadly slower bouncer, can prove to be effective in both places. This is what is likely to have prompted the interest from the two franchises.
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Titans breached the 10 crore mark for Harshal but Punjab quickly raised their paddle in response, and Lucknow too came into the auction at 11 crore, but PBKS won the deal finally.
The right-arm pacer was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction. Patel has been one of the top Indian pacers in the last few IPL seasons, claiming 111 wickets in 91 matches overall. He picked up 14 wickets in 13 matches last season, while peaking in the 2021 season, when he claimed 32 wickets in 15 matches while also winning the Purple Cap.
