The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad witnessed a historic moment in the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 as Harshal Patel etched his name into the record books.
During the high-stakes clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the 34-year-old pacer became the fastest Indian to claim 150 wickets in the Indian Premier League, achieving the milestone in just 117 matches.
Patel’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of inspiring. Starting his IPL career in 2012 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Patel initially struggled to secure a regular spot in the playing XI. Often relegated to a backup role, he didn’t even feature in the 2013 season. However, his persistence and hard work paid off, particularly in the 2021 season when he rose to prominence. That year, Patel equalled the record for the most wickets in a single IPL season, claiming 32 scalps and earning the Purple Cap as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. His record-breaking haul included a memorable five-wicket haul against the Mumbai Indians, a performance that announced his arrival as a force to be reckoned with.
Now, in 2025, Patel has added another feather to his cap. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he reached the 150-wicket mark faster than any other Indian bowler in IPL history. The milestone came during a crucial phase of the LSG vs SRH match. Patel’s contribution with the ball has been vital for SRH, especially on a batting-friendly surface like the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, which has seen heaps of runs in recent years.
Milestone Breached ✅
Just 1⃣1⃣7⃣ matches from Harshal Patel to claim 1⃣5⃣0⃣ #TATAIPL wickets 🫡#LSG 168/3 with three overs to go.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/GNnZh90u7T#LSGvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/YYG3UZsLQh
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2025
Patel’s journey to this point began long before his IPL debut. After impressing in the 2008-09 Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy with 23 wickets at an average of 11, he made his List-A debut for Gujarat. He also represented India at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. However, unable to secure a regular spot in Gujarat’s senior team, Patel moved to Haryana, where he made an immediate impact. In the 2011-12 Ranji Trophy season, he ran through opposition lineups, including eight-wicket hauls against Karnataka and Rajasthan in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively. This paved the way for his IPL debut with RCB in 2012.
Reflecting on his career, Patel’s growth as a bowler has been remarkable. Known for his variations, especially in the death overs, he has evolved into a bowler who can outsmart batters with slower balls, yorkers, and clever changes of pace. His 2021 season with RCB saw him break the record for the most wickets by an uncapped player in a single IPL season (26 wickets), surpassing teammate Yuzvendra Chahal’s tally of 23 set in 2015. By 2025, Patel’s overall IPL tally stands at 150 wickets, a testament to his consistency and adaptability across different franchises, including RCB, Delhi Capitals, and now SRH.
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