IPL 2027: Harshal Patel Set For SRH Exit, Gujarat Titans To Sign Two-Time Purple Cap Winner

Two-time IPL Purple Cap winner Harshal Patel is set for a new chapter in his Indian Premier League career, with Gujarat Titans (GT) reportedly agreeing to acquire the experienced fast bowler from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) through an all-cash trade ahead of the IPL 2027 season.

According to the proposed deal, Gujarat Titans will secure Harshal’s services for INR 4 crore (approximately USD 424,000), which is 50 per cent less than the INR 8 crore SRH paid to sign him at the 2025 mega auction. The amount will be deducted from GT’s auction purse once the trade is officially completed.

The move will mark Harshal’s fifth IPL franchise since making his debut in 2012. Having previously represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 35-year-old is now poised to return to his home state and represent Gujarat Titans.

Harshal initially made a decent impression during his first season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. After being acquired for INR 8 crore at the 2025 mega auction, he picked up 16 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 9.80.

However, his opportunities reduced considerably during IPL 2026 as SRH increasingly relied on young Indian fast bowlers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain. Harshal featured in just five matches and endured a disappointing campaign, failing to claim a wicket while conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.82.

The experienced pacer’s reduced role appears to have opened the door for a fresh start, with Gujarat Titans now preparing to add him to their bowling unit.

Despite his difficult recent campaign, Harshal’s IPL credentials remain impressive. He has twice finished a season as the competition’s leading wicket-taker, establishing himself as one of the most effective death-over specialists in the tournament.

His breakthrough campaign came in 2021, when he claimed an outstanding 32 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win his first Purple Cap. He repeated the achievement in 2024, finishing with 24 wickets for Punjab Kings to collect his second award.

Those performances underline the experience and wicket-taking ability he could bring to Gujarat Titans, particularly in the middle and death overs.

Interestingly, Gujarat Titans’ interest in Harshal Patel is not new. The franchise had made serious attempts to sign him at previous IPL auctions but failed to secure his services.

During the 2024 auction, GT remained in the bidding until INR 10.5 crore before stepping aside, allowing Punjab Kings to sign the pacer for INR 11.75 crore.

Their pursuit continued at the 2025 mega auction, where Gujarat Titans again entered the bidding before withdrawing at INR 6.5 crore. SRH eventually secured him for INR 8 crore.

Now, after two unsuccessful auction attempts, Gujarat Titans appear to have finally landed their long-time target at a considerably lower price.

The proposed move also carries personal significance for Harshal, who hails from Ahmedabad and shifted to Gujarat a few years ago to pursue domestic cricket.

At 35, with his 36th birthday approaching later this month, joining Gujarat Titans could offer him an opportunity to revive his IPL career while representing his home state.

He is also expected to add depth and experience to an already strong GT pace attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Jason Holder.

The proposed Harshal Patel deal comes during an unusually active pre-auction trading window, with franchises making significant changes to their squads ahead of the November 17 retention deadline.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been particularly busy in the market. After acquiring left-arm pacer T Natarajan from Delhi Capitals, SRH also secured the services of Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis from Chennai Super Kings as part of a four-player trade.

With the retention deadline approaching, more player movements could follow as franchises look to strengthen their squads and identify the right combinations for IPL 2027.

For Harshal, the proposed switch represents more than just another franchise change. It is an opportunity to return home, work with a new bowling group and remind the IPL of the qualities that made him a two-time Purple Cap winner.