There were times when I probably cried three-four times in my room every day, says Harshal Patel

Bengaluru : In 32 years of age, Harshal Patel has seen the two vastly contrasting sides of life - crushing sadness and unmitigated happiness. Harshal’s elder sister passed away early last year leaving the Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer a numb person. But a moment of joy was around the curve as he welcomed a baby boy into his family.

While speaking on RCB Podcast Season 2, Harshal revealed how he dealt with extremities in life and career.

“When my sister passed away, I was in grief for a week. She passed away on April 9 (2022). I was in quarantine. I was talking to my niece and nephew and everyone back home. I wanted to go, hug them and cry with them. But we were doing it on the phone, because that was the only option available. Then seven days later, my son was born. So, I kind of went numb for a week, 10 days. I didn’t really know what I was feeling - whether I should be happy, whether I should be sad. It would all come in waves.

“There were times when I probably cried three-four times in my room every day. And then I would see my son on FaceTime and, and be extremely joyful. When you have those polar emotions, pulling at you constantly, it can be quite draining,” said Harshal.

So, how did he manage to overcome that volatile period in his life and get back to cricket?

“When something good happens or something bad happens I want to be stable. So those two weeks were a great opportunity for me to see how well I can deal with that. So, I tried to console my family in the best possible way and they tried to console me in the best possible way and we got through it. I mean, it comes with loads of introspection. If you’re not honest with yourself, then it’s a fool’s errand. If you’re constantly trying to find reasons outside of yourself of why you’re not happy or why you’re not successful, then you’re not moving in the right direction. I just don’t want to be affected by things that are happening outside of my control and consciousness, and just be a good calming presence. When things are going wrong, I want to be the person people can lean on,” said Harshal.

Harshal was the Purple Cap holder in IPL 2021, plucking 32 wickets for RCB. Despite releasing him, RCB went all out in the auction room to buy back the pacer. IANS

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