Delhi Capitals traded Harshal Patel to Royal Challengers Bangalore during the off-season. The move paid rich dividends as Harshal Patel delivered a match-winning performance in the first match of IPL 2021. Patel picked up a fifer against the batting might of Mumbai Indians. His slower balls became immensely difficult for MI batsmen to pick. He dismissed Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, and Marco Jansen in his 4-over. Patel became literally unplayable at the death. He even went on to score the winning run capping off a brilliant match. He was awarded the Man of the Match.