Picking Harshal Patel For T20 World Cup Might Not Be A Bad Idea: Harsha Bhogle

Renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle stressed that Royal Challengers Bangalore pace bowler Harshal Patel’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Last month the Board of Control for Cricket in India named a 15-member preliminary squad with the addition of three reserved players for the mega event scheduled to start on October 17 in Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The preliminary squad has Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami as the three pace bowlers in the team with all-rounder Hardik Pandya seems doubtful to bowl as he hasn’t bowled for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2021.

Picking Harshal Patel might not be a bad idea: Harsha Bhogle

Harshal Patel is having a tremendous run in IPL 2021 as he is leading the bowling charts with 29 wickets from 13 matches and also bagged a hat-trick against Mumbai Indians.

Using his slower balls and off-cutters Patel has bowled brilliantly for RCB in the death overs by chipping in with important wickets and controlling the flow of runs from the opposition.

Harsha Bhogle is of the opinion that including the Haryana bowler for the T20 World Cup won’t be a bad idea for the Indian team.

“If the pitches at the #ICCT20WorldCup2021 are going to be similar to these, picking Harshal Patel might not be a bad idea. (Changes allowed till October 10!). A horses-for-courses practical selection. What do you guys think?” Bhogle tweeted.

If the pitches at the #ICCT20WorldCup2021 are going to be similar to these, picking Harshal Patel might not be a bad idea. (Changes allowed till October 10!). A horses-for-courses practical selection. What do you guys think?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 6, 2021

Selection is completely out of my hand: Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel is yet to make his debut for India in any of the three formats in the international arena. After claiming his first hat-trick, the bowler said that the selection criteria is not something he is bothered about.

“I don’t have any regret anytime. The decisions I have taken in life have been taken as per my best ability at that time. And when it comes to selection, that is completely out of my hand,” Harshal Patel said. 

“There is the only goal for me, whichever team I play, be it a club or IPL team, or when I will play for the country or when I play for Haryana, I try to put a positive impact in the game from whichever situation with ball or bat. That is my goal, and it will remain my goal until I play cricket,” he added. 

The changes for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 can be submitted before October 10 by all the participating nations.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Harshal Patel Castles Kane Williamson With An Off-cutter