IPL 2024: 3 Players PBKS should have picked instead of Harshal Patel (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Harshal Patel was a surprise release by Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB) ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. But he not only managed to find a new team in Punjab Kings (PBKS) but also, saw a bidding war happening for his services. This saw him getting a whopping price of INR 11.75 crore.

Many Punjab Kings fans welcomed the addition of Harshal Patel to the bowling unit, which is a strong one led by Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran. However, many fans considered spending that amount of money by PBKS Harshal Patel, unnecessary. But Harshal brings death over expertise and the ability to hit big shots down the order. 

Let’s have a look at which order Indian or overseas bowlers PBKS should’ve targeted instead of Harshal Patel in the IPL 2024 auction. 

Here are 3 players PBKS should have gone for instead of Harshal Patel:

1. Chetan Sakariya

Chetan Sakariya. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Punjab Kings were on the look out for a decent death overs bowler as they had a pretty good new ball attack in Sam Curran and Kagiso Rabada. Chetan Sakariya had proved his worth with the old ball at the death for Rajasthan Royals and in domestic cricket. His expertise even led to him making his India debut in 2021.

However, Sakariya was unlucky to be released by RR and not to get many opportunities with Delhi Capitals. Punjab Kings would’ve gotten an excellent death overs bowler with variations aplenty in Sakariya. And probably they wouldn’t have had to splurge huge money for the southpaw pacer.  

2. Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav against PBKS. (Photo Source: IPL/ BCCI)

PBKS coach Sanjay Bangar said that veteran Indian pacer Umesh Yadav was on their list for the IPL 2024 auction along with Harshal Patel. Umesh Yadav has an excellent record in the IPL with over 130 wickets in 141 games with a best of 4/23 and an economy of 8.38.

Despite being on the wrong side of the 30s, Umesh Yadav still retains his pace and has regularly bowled over 140kph in the IPL. He can swing the new ball at the start and has a mean slower one at the death overs. He would also have been the perfect foil for Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran with his extensive experience of Indian conditions. 

3. Lockie Ferguson

The New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson is an out-and-out express fast bowler. He rarely bowls anything under 145 kph and has a good slower ball that can fox any batter. Along with Kagiso Rabada, Ferguson would’ve formed a deadly duo with the new ball for Punjab Kings. This would’ve left them with more overs of Sam Curran at the death. Punjab, not going after Lockie Ferguson can be put into a missed opportunity list in the IPL 2024 auction.

Ferguson has a good record of 37 wickets in 38 matches with a best of 4/28 and an economy of 8.66. Overall, in 136 T20s, Ferguson has 151 wickets with a best of 5/21 and an economy of 7.91, which is very good for a pacer with genuine pace in the format. He also recently led New Zealand to a T20I series win over Bangladesh in Bangladesh.