After spending more than a decade as one of Haryana’s most dependable cricketers, seamer Harshal Patel has decided to return to his roots. The 34-year-old has signed with Gujarat for the 2025-26 domestic season, completing a full circle in his professional journey as he also wants to retire in his home state.
Harshal was born in Gujarat and even made his List A debut for the state in 2008-09, but opportunities dried up after the Under-19 World Cup in 2010. At that point he shifted to Haryana, where he went on to establish himself as a reliable all-rounder and leader.
Over the next 13 years, Harshal picked up 246 first-class wickets at an average of 24.02, played a key role in Haryana’s rise in white-ball cricket, and was central to their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph in 2023-24. “Right from 2010-11 since my Under-19 days, almost the entirety of my professional career has been with Haryana, I owe a lot to them,” Harshal told ESPNcricinfo while confirming his move. “If that move to Haryana as an 18-year-old hadn’t worked out for me I would have probably moved to the USA and not played cricket in India.”
Family, IPL and the Gujarat connection
Harshal’s move back has been influenced by personal circumstances as much as cricketing ones. The pacer splits his time between the USA, where he has extended family, and Ahmedabad, where he now lives. With a young family of his own, he admitted the travel had become too demanding.
“It was getting difficult for me to be away from the family for long periods of time,” Harshal said. “So I wanted to come back and see if I could finish my career here. Glad I got an opportunity to do that.”
His recent performances in the IPL show he still has plenty to offer. Turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, Harshal took 16 wickets in 13 matches, often delivering in the middle overs with his variations. While an India comeback is no longer on his mind, he remains motivated.
“My motivation has nothing to do with whether I’ll play for India or not or whether I’ll play IPL or not. My motivation has everything to do with whether I still have the hunger to go to the ground and bowl 10-15 overs in a day. And the answer is yes.”
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