3 teams who should target Harshal Patel in IPL 2025 auction ft. PBKS

Harshal Patel is all set to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction at his base price of ₹1.5 crore. The veteran pacer was released by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) despite him emerging as the Purple Cap winner with 24 scalps in IPL 2024.

So far, Patel has been part of 105 IPL games and bagged a total of 135 wickets at an economy of 8.74. He was the finest bowler in the 2021 season with 32 wickets in 15 appearances, as he helped the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to seal a playoff spot. As a result, he got his maiden India call-up as well.

Some franchises who have let go of their experienced pacers will certainly need the services of the proven performer, Harshal Patel. Let's look at three teams who must keep an eye on the right-arm pacer for the upcoming IPL season.

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3 teams who should target Harshal Patel in IPL 2025 auction

#1 Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Harshal Patel possesses a plethora of variations like dipping yorkers, slower balls, and off-cutters. In fact, he was one of the bowlers who earned praise for effectively utilizing slower balls to outfox the batters.

On a slow surface like the one at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Patel could prove to be a lethal option for the Rajasthan Royals team. The ball doesn't come nicely onto the bat at RR's home venue, especially with the old ball, which will make him more lethal with his change-ups.

The Rajasthan-based franchise has retained only a solitary pacer in the form of Sandeep Sharma and will need a couple more pacers to build a proficient bowling attack. Patel can be their go-to-bowler in the middle as well as the death overs.

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#2 Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Punjab Kings have retained only two players — Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh — and have the highest amount (₹110.5 crore) of purse remaining for the auction. Harshal Patel, who was the best bowler for them last season, was released from the setup.

The Punjab-based franchise is likely to break the bank for acquiring quality bowlers up for grabs on D-day. With the recent appointment of Ricky Ponting as the head coach, Patel could find favor from him as they have been together during their stint with the Delhi Capitals.

Moreover, Patel has played five games at Mullanpur, which is likely to host the franchise's league games in 2025 as well. In those games, he scalped 11 wickets at an impressive average of 13.09. With a good record at their home venue, Patel looks to be a good contender for PBKS. They can use the RTM card to bring him back to the team.

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#3 Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi Capitals decided to retain four players — Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel. Surprisingly, they didn't retain any of their pacers like Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed, who were the joint-highest wicket-takers for the side this year.

In this regard, Capitals can take an interest in bidding for Harshal Patel, who has played for the team in the last decade. Importantly, he has 13 wickets in nine games at the franchise's home venue, Arun Jaitley Stadium.

With Patel's acquisition, the Capitals will have a proven performer with the old ball, who can put runs in check along with a credible spinner like Kuldeep. Apart from him, the team will need to invest in a new-ball pacer.