Harshal Patel's five-wicket haul helped Royal Challengers Bangalore restrict defending champions Mumbai Indians to 159.
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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Harshal Patel scripted history in the IPL 2021 opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI). Harshal became the first bowler to record a five-wicket haul against MI. The 30-year-old registered figures of 5/27, after being handed an opportunity in a vital encounter. He accounted for the dismissals of Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya and Marco Jansen.
Harshal is the first cricketer to register a five-wicket haul in the opening match of an edition of the IPL. Not only this, he is the third uncapped player in the history of the cash-rich league to have achieved the milestone. Ankit Rajpoot and Varun Chakravarthy are the other two names on the list. Harshal is however the first uncapped pacer to register a five-wicket haul in the cash-rich league.
The 30-year-old is further the third RCB bowler to record a five-wicket haul in IPL. Anil Kumble was the first player to record the milestone, achieving the same in 2008. Jaydev Unadkat is the second name on the list, having registered the milestone in 2013.
MI have posted a total of 159 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs, having been sent in to bat. Chris Lynn was the top run-scorer for the franchise, smashing 49 runs off 35 deliveries. His knock comprised of four boundaries and three sixes. The Australian was followed by Suryakumar Yadav in the list of highest run-getters. Suryakumar scored 31 runs off 23 balls, with four fours and a shot which went on to clear the fence.
Harshal was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, registering a five-wicket haul. Kylie Jamieson picked his maiden wicket in the IPL, accounting for the dismissal of Suryakumar. Washington Sundar further chipped in with a wicket as well.
Harshal was signed by the Bangalore-based franchise on a free transfer following the conclusion of the player auction for the 2021 edition. He joined RCB from Delhi Capitals (DC) along with Australian cricketer Danial Sams.
