Harshal Patel relishes Player of Match award on T20i debut: It's been a great journey, taught me life lessons

India vs New Zealand: Harshal Patel picked up 2/25 on his T20I debut to walk away with the Player of the Match award in Ranchi. The 30-year-old shed light on his learnings from the long wait to play international cricket.

The India debut might have come late but Haryana workhorse Harshal Patel made the most of it in Ranchi on Friday. The 30-year-old, who became India's sixth oldest T20I debutant, shone on a dewy evening, executing his strengths and variations with the confidence of a veteran India bowler. He finished with figures of 2/25 that won him the Player of the Match award on a memorable first outing in India blue.

Harshal Patel was told by former India cricketer-turned commentator Murali Kartik that he had played with him in domestic cricket during the post-match presentation ceremony on Friday. The Haryana bowler had made his domestic debut as early as 2009 and had to wait 12 years to don the India jersey.