IND vs NZ 2021: Ajay Jadeja Credits IPL For Justifying Harshal Patel's Talent

Former Indian player Ajay Jadeja credited the Indian Premier League for allowing Harshal Patel to showcase his talent.

Harshal Patel, 30, made his international debut for India in the second T20I match against New Zealand on Friday in Ranchi.

The Haryana bowler got the wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert and was also successful in controlling the runs in death overs, his four-over spell ended with figures of 2/25.

The key to Harshal Patel’s bowling is his dip: Ajay Jadeja

Harshal Patel impressed everyone with his bowling sharpness in IPL 2021, where he picked up 32 wickets for Royal Challengers Bangalore, the joint-highest in a single edition with West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

Jadeja said that if it wasn’t for IPL, Harshal Patel wouldn’t have found his way to the Indian team.

“If it was not for the IPL, I don’t think people would have said let’s bring Harshal Patel into the side. What he did in the IPL, was an eye-opener for several people. The key to his bowling is his dip. In spite of the New Zealand batsmen knowing what he does with the slower ball, they had no clue and still struggled.

“I would like India to have him as a weapon when they get to the World Cup and not blunt this weapon by the time you get there,” Jadeja told Cricbuzz.

“Three of the four overs Harshal Patel bowled were bang on. The third over he picked a couple of wickets, but went for runs. The way he was able to hold pressure and react well to it, was a very good job by him,” he added.

Harshal Patel is at the top of his bowling right now: Ajay Jadeja

Harshal Patel had to be very patient enough to make his international debut with consistent performances for Haryana in domestic cricket.

According to his own admission during the IPL 2021, the Haryana pacer said that he wasn’t bothered about his selection in the Indian team and just kept performing for whichever team he played. Jadeja said that Harshal is bowling at his best and deserves the credit for it.

“As I said, players who play domestic cricket for a period of time, toils under the sun with only 2 dogs watching, put up their skills, and come into the International level, he’s done the hard yards, he deserves the credit he is getting. The way he is bowling, he is at the top of his bowling right now,” Jadeja said.

India eventually won the second match by seven wickets as they chased New Zealand’s target of 154 with 16 balls to spare.

Also Read: Harshal Patel Reveals AB De Villiers’s Advice To Him, Reckons The Latter Had A Massive Impact On His Career