In a noteworthy pre-auction development, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have arranged to trade bowler Harshal Patel to Gujarat Titans (GT) for INR 4 crore, equivalent to approximately $424,000, Cricinfo has learned. This all-cash transaction sees Patel sold for half the amount SRH originally paid during the 2025 mega auction. Consequently, GT’s auction purse will decrease by INR 4 crore.
This shift means Harshal will represent his fifth IPL team since debuting in 2012. Previously, he has played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and of late, SRH over the past two seasons.
Harshal joined SRH in the 2025 mega auction for an impressive INR 8 crore—about $0.89 million at the time. That inaugural season with SRH saw him claim 16 wickets across 13 matches, although he had a high economy rate of 9.80. In the subsequent 2026 campaign, his appearances were limited to five games, during which he couldn’t take any wickets, conceding an average of 10.82 per over. This change in form possibly owed to SRH’s preference for emerging Indian bowlers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain during that period.
Despite recent challenges, Harshal has experienced outstanding IPL performances. In 2021, he captured 32 wickets for RCB, and another successful streak in 2024 saw him take 24 wickets for PBKS, making him the leading wicket-taker in both seasons.
Harshal, who hails from Ahmedabad and recently shifted to Gujarat for domestic cricket, will be joining a robust bowling squad at GT, which includes talents such as Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Jason Holder. The trade clears the way for Harshal to return to his roots, aligning his personal and professional aspirations with his home base.
GT’s acquisition can be seen as the fruition of their long-standing interest in Harshal, having repeatedly bid for him without success. In 2024, GT withdrew after reaching INR 10.5 crore, ultimately losing out to PBKS’s bid of INR 11.75 crore. The following year, GT’s pursuit again ended at INR 6.5 crore in the bidding war.
With the player retention deadline on November 17 fast approaching, pre-auction activities are bustling, notably with SRH actively reshaping their squad. In addition to offloading Harshal, SRH has also acquired bowler T Natarajan from DC and secured Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis in a significant four-player deal with CSK.
This season’s pre-auction trades are shaping up to be particularly unique, fostering anticipation for the IPL 2027 season.
