New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad are set to trade seam bowler Harshal Patel to Gujarat Titans for Rs 4 crore ahead of the 2027 season.The deal will see Harshal, a two-time IPL Purple Cap winner, move for half the amount SRH paid to acquire him at the 2025 mega auction.According to Cricinfo, "SRH have agreed to an all-cash trade, with GT procuring Harshal for INR 4 crore ($US 424,000 approx.), which is half the price he was bought for at the 2025 mega auction. Accordingly, GT's auction purse will be deducted by INR 4 crore."Also read: Aaryavir Sehwag, Lakshya Raichandani star as India beat Pakistan to win U19 Asia CupThe right-arm pacer enjoyed his most successful IPL campaigns in 2021 and 2024, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in both seasons. He claimed 32 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2021 and 24 for Punjab Kings in 2024.The 35-year-old, who was bought for Rs 8 crore in the mega auction, had a productive first season with SRH, taking 16 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 9.80 in IPL 2025.However, his opportunities dried up in the following season as the franchise preferred uncapped Indian pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain.Harshal featured in just five matches in IPL 2026 and went wicket-less, conceding 10.82 runs per over.The move to GT will also take Harshal, who turns 36 later this month, to his home state. Born in Ahmedabad, he shifted to Gujarat a few years ago to pursue domestic cricket.At GT, he is expected to add experience to a pace attack that includes Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Jason Holder.Gujarat Titans had shown interest in signing Harshal at previous auctions. They pulled out at Rs 10.5 crore during the 2024 auction before Punjab Kings secured him for Rs 11.75 crore. GT also bid for him at the 2025 mega auction, withdrawing at Rs 6.5 crore.The trade is part of an active pre-auction window ahead of the November 17 retention deadline, with SRH emerging as one of the busiest franchises.SRH have already acquired left-arm pacer T Natarajan from Delhi Capitals and brought in fast bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis from Chennai Super Kings in a four-player trade.
Multiple perspectives
