Harshal Patel is an Indian cricketer who shows how never giving up can turn failure into fame. From a boy playing on dusty Haryana grounds to the Purple Cap winner in IPL, Harshal’s story is about patience, discipline, and hard work. He faced rejections, injuries, and tough days but he always came back stronger.

This article shares Harshal Patel’s full life — his childhood, education, family, girlfriend, height, controversies, and recent updates — all in simple human language. Let’s read how Harshal became one of India’s most trusted death-over bowlers.

Title	Details
Full Name	Harshal Vikram Patel
Nickname	Harshal
Profession	Indian Cricketer
Date of Birth	23 November 1990
Age (as of 2025)	34 Years
Birthplace	Sanand, Gujarat, India
Hometown	Sanand, Gujarat / Haryana, India
Current City	Ahmedabad & Bengaluru
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hindu
Height	5 feet 9 inches (approx.)
Weight	Around 72 kg (approx.)
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
Education	Hiramani School, Gujarat
Marital Status	Unmarried
Girlfriend	Not Confirmed
Father’s Name	Vikram Patel (Worked in USA)
Mother’s Name	Darshana Patel
Siblings	Elder Brother: Tapan Patel; Sister (deceased)
Domestic Team	Haryana
IPL Teams	MI (bench), RCB (main team)
International Debut	T20I vs New Zealand, Nov 2021
Career Highlight	Purple Cap Winner, IPL 2021 (32 wickets)
Recent Form	2025 IPL: Key death bowler for RCB
Favourite Ball	Back-of-the-hand slower ball
Hobbies	Playing piano, reading motivational books
Controversies	Criticism for high economy, sister’s passing
Dream	Mentor young bowlers, play more for India

Early Life of Harshal Patel

Harshal Vikram Patel was born on 23 November 1990 in Sanand, Gujarat. His family is from Haryana but they lived in Gujarat for work. His father, Vikram Patel, worked in the USA and his mother, Darshana Patel, took care of the home.

Harshal loved cricket since he was very young. He would play for hours with his brother Tapan Patel. His parents wanted him to focus on studies but they saw his passion for bowling and supported him. They enrolled him in a cricket academy near Ahmedabad.

In his early days, many coaches told him to try batting because he was short and not very strong. But Harshal loved bowling fast. His coach Tarak Trivedi believed in him and guided him to build speed, learn swing, and stay fit.

Education: Balancing School and Cricket

Harshal studied at Hiramani School in Gujarat and later moved to the USA for a short time when his family shifted. But he returned to India alone to pursue cricket. He stayed with his relatives in Haryana and trained harder than ever.

He completed his schooling while playing local matches. It was tough to focus on studies and cricket but Harshal says it made him mentally strong. He also did his graduation while playing domestic cricket for Haryana.

Harshal Patel’s Cricket Career: A Story of Patience

Domestic Cricket Struggles and Success

Harshal first played for Gujarat’s U-19 team but did not get many chances. Later, he moved to Haryana where he got better opportunities. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Haryana in 2011 and became their top bowler.

He learned to bowl at the death overs and mastered slower balls. His big breakthrough came in the 2011–12 Ranji Trophy, where he took two 8-wicket hauls.

First IPL Stint

Harshal was picked by Mumbai Indians in 2010 but did not get to play a single match. Later, he was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2012. He bowled a few good spells but never became a regular.

He was often benched and injuries also slowed him down. Many fans forgot him for some time, but Harshal never lost hope. He kept working on new variations like back-of-the-hand slower balls and yorkers.

IPL Purple Cap Winner: Big Break

Everything changed in 2021. RCB traded Harshal Patel from Delhi Capitals before the season. No one expected him to become a star. But he shocked everyone by taking 32 wickets in IPL 2021, equalling Dwayne Bravo’s record for most wickets in a single season.

He became RCB’s main death bowler. Batsmen found his slower balls hard to read. Harshal won the Purple Cap for most wickets and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season.

After this, he also got selected for the Indian T20 team. He made his debut against New Zealand in November 2021 and took 2 wickets.

2022–2025: New Challenges & Comeback

In IPL 2022 and 2023, Harshal faced ups and downs. He went through a tough time when he lost his sister during the IPL season but still returned to the field. His bowling form dipped a bit and fans questioned his economy rate.

In 2024, he changed his training routine and worked on his fitness. RCB retained him and he bounced back with smart bowling. In IPL 2025, Harshal started strong, picking crucial wickets at the death overs again. He says, “I keep learning every day. Failures teach me the best lessons.”

Harshal Patel’s Height, Weight & Fitness

Harshal Patel’s height is around 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). He weighs about 72 kg. He works out daily to stay strong. He does running, core exercises, and yoga to stay flexible.

Harshal is not very muscular but his strength lies in his rhythm and smart bowling. He eats simple food, avoids junk, and drinks lots of water to keep his energy up during long matches.

Harshal Patel’s Age in 2025

Harshal was born on 23 November 1990, which makes him 34 years old in 2025. He says age is just a number for him. He feels fitter than ever and wants to play cricket for a few more years.

Harshal Patel’s Girlfriend & Relationship Status

Harshal is very private about his love life. As of 2025, he is not married and there is no confirmed news about a girlfriend. He has never shared pictures or stories about a partner on social media.

There were rumors in the past linking him with a childhood friend but Harshal never confirmed them. He likes to keep his focus on cricket and his family. He believes personal life should stay personal.

Harshal Patel’s Family: The Backbone of His Journey

Harshal’s family is his biggest strength. His father, Vikram Patel, worked in the USA for many years. His mother, Darshana Patel, supported him in his early days in India. His elder brother, Tapan Patel, is like his best friend.

He lost his sister in 2022, which broke him deeply. But his family helped him recover from that loss. He often says his family’s belief in him kept him going even when the world did not.

When he won the Purple Cap in 2021, his parents and brother were the first to celebrate with him.

Controversies: Ups and Downs

Harshal Patel is not someone who gets into big controversies. But cricket fans sometimes criticize him for his high economy rate in death overs. During the 2022 IPL, he bowled a crucial last over against CSK and leaked too many runs, which led to online trolling.

In 2022, he was also in the news when he had to leave the IPL bubble due to his sister’s death. Some people wrongly spread rumors about him leaving the team. But he came back stronger and spoke openly about mental health.

Harshal says, “People will talk. I just keep working.”

Interesting Facts About Harshal Patel

He can play the piano and loves music.
He loves reading motivational books.
His slower ball is inspired by watching Dwayne Bravo and Zaheer Khan.
He once thought of moving to the USA permanently but chose cricket instead.
He wants to mentor young bowlers after he retires.
He once took a hat-trick against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021.

Life Lessons from Harshal Patel’s Journey

Harshal Patel’s story teaches us that talent alone is not enough. You need to be patient and never give up. He was once just another domestic bowler but today, he is known for his smart thinking and variations.

He shows us that failures, injuries, or losses cannot stop you if you learn from them. His bond with his family proves that when family supports you, you can fight any challenge.

Even in bad days, he never blamed others. He worked on his craft silently and kept coming back stronger.