Fast bowler Harshal Patel said he wants to be called upon in high-pressure situations after holding his nerve in the death overs as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 14 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) eliminator.
Patel played a key role in Bangalore’s victory as he took the wicket of Lucknow’s Marcus Stoinis in the 18th over, just a couple of deliveries after giving away six wides.
He then bowled three dot balls in the final over to secure the win.
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“I want to be in those situations, there is no doubt about that … and I will continue to put myself in those situations,” Patel said.
“Sometimes it is going to come off, sometimes it is not going to come off. There will be games where I will end up losing for the team and I am okay with that as long as I don’t shy away from challenges.”
Patel also praised team mate Rajat Patidar after the 28-year-old smashed 12 fours and seven sixes in his knock of 112 off 54 balls to help Bangalore post a commanding total of 207.
Patidar, who played four matches for Bangalore in 2021, went unsold in the 2022 auction and then rejoined them as a replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia.
“The way he played … we have been seeing this calibre of batting in practice games,” Patel told reporters. “Even last year … he got a few opportunities but couldn’t do justice to his talent, but we knew he was a special player.”
Bangalore will play Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier on Friday in Ahmedabad, with the winners taking on Gujarat Titans in Sunday’s final at the same venue.
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