How a case of mistaken identity kept Harpreet Singh Bhatia out of IPL for years

What is in the name? Ask Harpreet Singh Bhatia, he will explain in his own way.

One mistake can do big damage to anyone’s life. Punjab Kings' Harpreet Singh Bhatia, one of the heroes against Mumbai Indians on 23rd April night, had gone through the same. He suffered in his cricket career due to a blunder by news editors and not by his own mistake. Punjab Kings' batter Harpreet Singh Bhatia has made his Indian Premier League comeback after almost 11 years. He missed out on the IPL action due to a big goof-up done by sub-editors in a news agency. It was a case of mistaken identity when a news agency reported his name in place of another Under-19 Cricketer from Mumbai Harmeet Singh. Harmeet Singh in February 2012 was arrested for driving his vehicle on the Andheri Station platform. The Agency then made a big goof up and they reported Harpreet’s name in place of Harmeet.

Case of mistaken identity!

Though they corrected their mistake, the damage was already done. Born in Durg, Chhattisgarh, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, represented India in 2010 Under 19 Cricket World Cup and was part of the IPL, and was considered one of the prospects for Team India. He suffered a massive setback and had to stay without an IPL contract for the next 5 years. Harpreet’s mistaken identity made his franchise drop him from the squad before the auction and Harpreet himself believed that the news agencies mistakes did damage his career. After 5 years in 2017, Harpreet Singh Bhatia was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore as Sarfaraz Khan’s replacement. He did not get the opportunity but was part of the RCB setup.

A 10 years gap before between two games in the IPL

Now, He has overtaken Mathew Wade in the longest gap between two IPL games. Harpreet Singh Bhatia last played in the IPL for Pune Warriors India in 2012 against Kolkata Knight Riders. After 10 years and 332 days, He made his comeback against Mumbai Indians for Punjab Kings. Mathew Wade took 10 years and 312 days to return in the IPL. Harpreet played a brilliant knock of 41 runs in 28 balls. Left-hand batter smashed 4 fours and 2 sixes in his inning. He smashed 18 runs in 4 balls against Arjun Tendulkar in his third over. Harpreet’s innings shifted the gears for Punjab Kings, and once looking towards a modest total they went on to score 214 runs. PBKS won the game by a margin of 13 runs in the last over.

Harpreet Singh's Career so far

Before the goof-up, Harpreet was considered a talented player who can represent the Indian Cricket Team. His stats in the Indian domestic circuit, speaks volume about his ability as a batter. Harpreet Singh has got an average of more than 45 in both First Class and List A careers. Harpreet started his career with Madhya Pradesh and then went on to play for Chhattisgarh from 2018 to now. In 75 First Class games, he has scored 4909 runs at an average of 48.12 with 15 centuries. In List A cricket, he has played 84 games and scored 3023 runs at an average of 45.11 with 6 centuries. He got pretty decent T20 stats as well. Harpreet in T20 cricket has played 80 games and scored 2278 runs with a strike rate of 124.68 and 16 half-centuries.