IPL 2021: Harshal Patel lights up Dubai with a sensational hattrick against MI

Harshal Patelseems to have developed a liking towards Mumbai Indians. Hasn’t he? While the young pacer scalped a five-fer against the defending champions in the first half, he took a stunning hat-trick against them in the UAE leg. Patel dismissed Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and  Rahul Chahar in the first three balls of the 16th over to join the list of elites. He became the 17th bowler to get a hat-trick in the history of the Indian Premier League.

Harshal’s heroics couldn’t have come at a better time as the game was somewhat poised after the end of 16 overs. MI needed 61 runs off 24 balls with dashing duo Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya being at the center stage. However, the smart pacer dented MI’s plans in just a span of a couple of deliveries. Pandya was the fast bowler’s first victim.

Harshal Patel foxes Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard

He miscued a big shot off a slower delivery and skipper Virat Kohli took a clean catch running back from cover. With the batters crossing over, Pollard to the strikers’ end but only to join the junior Pandya in the dug-out. In order to unleash a massive hit, the Caribbean star gave himself room but failed to read the off-cutter. As a result, the furniture was disturbed and RCB’s victory became inevitable.

Patel dismissed Rahul Chahar to get the milestone. He bowled a loopy full-toss and trapped the leg-spinner in front of the stumps. The on-field umpire raised the finger and Chahar didn’t even bother to take a review. After all, the balls would have clearly smashed the leg stump.

With this MI lost their eighth wicket and RCB’s win became a matter of time. Virat Kohli’s men eventually clinched the game by 54 runs. Notably, Patel became the third RCB bowler after Samuel Badree and Praveen Kumar to take a hat-trick in IPL.

Earlier in the game, RCB posted 165/6 while batting first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in. While skipper Kohli and Glenn Maxwell slammed half-centuries, Srikar Bharat scored an impressive 32. Chasing the challenging target, MI, after a 57-run stand for the opening wicket, lost wickets at regular intervals. They subsequently got skittled out for 111.