Harshal Patel joined an elite list after claiming a hat-trick for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2021. However, he was not selected for the ICC World T20 2021 squad. Nonetheless, he is not bothered by it.
Indian pacer Harshal Patel created headlines on Sunday after claiming a hat-trick for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against defending champion Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 39 of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Dubai International Stadium. It allowed RCB to seal an energetic 54-run win, allowing the sie to stay in contention for the playoffs.
As for the hat-trick, Harshal became the 20th man in the IPL to take a hat-trick. Moreover, he has been a consistent performer in the tournament, especially this season.
However, he was axed from the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC World T20, to be held in the gulf from next month. Although his non-selection is indeed heartbreaking for him, he remains unmoved and has no regrets.
During the post-match press conference, Harshal said that the decisions he made in his life have been as per his best abilities, while selection for Team India is entirely not in his hands. He added that regardless of the team he plays for, he aims at giving his best in all departments, which will remain his goal throughout.
Speaking on his hat-trick, he reckoned, "First-time ever in my life, literally in my life, I have never taken a hat-trick even in a school game. In the IPL, I have been on a hat-trick almost, this was my sixth time on a hat-trick, and this is the first time I have got it."
"So, absolutely, I don't know, it is difficult to explain, but it will take some time to sink in. For me personally, I feel good, like I said in the pre-match interview as well, that I can execute my skills pretty well," he concluded.