Harpreet Brar's Rise in IPL 2023: From Almost Quitting Cricket to Impressive Performances

In 2018, Harpreet Brar, along with a few other Indians, considered pursuing a career in Canada, and he came dangerously close to doing so. However, things took a turn for the better when he was signed by Punjab Kings in an auction before the 2019 IPL for Rs 20 lakh.

IPL 2023 proved to be Brar's breakout year as he appeared in 13 games, demonstrating that the left-arm orthodox spinner had solidified his spot in the starting XI after only 15 appearances in his first four seasons with the Kings. Brar only claimed nine wickets in the previous season, but even so, his economy rate of 8.02 was respectable for an unproven player.

This season, he's been even more impressive. He has bowled nine overs in three matches thus far in the 2018 IPL, claiming three wickets and giving up only 41 runs. With an economy rate of only 4.55, Brar has not been struck for a six in this IPL season by any other batter except Nicholas Pooran of the Lucknow Super Giants. Fours? Only one has been scored against him so far.

I also concentrate on bowling dot balls since our spin bowling coach, Sunil Joshi, advises me to do so as often as possible. Nets with match simulations assist too, Brar told Press Time.

"I want to place the ball slightly off the batsman's line. Consequently, batters have little time to choose whether to hit or block if there is even a little movement after the ball pitches in the T20 style.

The batsman's arc is where I just try to pitch it to see if he can still hit it. It's excellent for me if not.

Last week in the Chinnaswamy, the Kings were defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru; nonetheless, Brar's performance of 4-0-13-2 was noteworthy. The 28-year-old, who had already removed Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar, was unbeatable by even the legendary Virat Kohli, who scored 77 off 49 balls in that match.

"I had previously bowled in three or four matches against Kohlipaaji. Nearly all of the players' data and other relevant information is now available to every team. I tried to cut out the shots Paaji liked to take and force him to play in the area I wanted him to play in before that game, Brar said.

Undoubtedly, Brar, who was also a part of the Punjab team that won the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy the previous year, has dreams of playing for Team India in the future. However, he is also aware of how difficult it is to break into the national squad.

Brar is now focused just on ending this IPL on a high note, without looking too far ahead. "I haven't given any consideration to what could occur in the future.

"I want to continue playing well for my team and win every game." It's my responsibility to play like a champion because the outcome will become clear eventually. I am in charge of controlling my nerves.