IND vs NZ 2021: Dinesh Karthik, Ajay Jadeja Opine Harshal Patel To Play In The Second T20I

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik said that Harshal Patel will be a better choice ahead of Avesh Khan to play for India in the second T20I match against New Zealand.

India won the first T20I by five wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday.

India played with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Siraj as the three frontline pace bowlers in the first match.

Siraj was seen in pain in the final over after he got Mitchell Santner hit a shot, that clobbered back to the bowler and smashed into his left hand.

The team physio had to rush to treat the Hyderabad bowler, and somehow he managed to complete the full over.

In case, Siraj is not available to play for the next match, India have the options of IPL star campaigners Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan.

Harshal Patel will be better to play ahead of Avesh Khan: Dinesh Karthik

Karthik feels that Patel will adapt to the sluggish wicket of Ranchi, and his form should be considered.

“Both of them are bowling at the best of their careers so far… So you can blindly play any one of them. I personally feel Harshal Patel will be better because obviously, you know, the change of pace in Ranchi (is a) slightly slow wicket.

“Avesh Khan is very good with slower ones as well, but Harshal Patel is bowling with such good rhythm that you want to give him the opportunity and see what he brings to the table.

“But another way you look at it is – you have somebody who bowls 135 in Deepak Chahar and Bhuvi. If you want someone with more pace, then the option is Avesh Khan. It’s a good headache to have…,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.

Harshal Patel is the one I’ll probably go with: Ajay Jadeja

Former Indian player Ajay Jadeja too backed Karthik’s opinion and said that the Haryana bowler can deceive the opposition batters with his slower balls.

“The way Siraj was used, probably Harshal Patel because he bowled one in the powerplay and two right at the end… what he has done in the IPL, the reason why he’s been picked in the side – his strength is that when the game is moving at a different pace and the batsman is trying to dominate that’s when his slower one becomes more useful.

“If you have to use him the same way and the others around, then Harshal is the one I’ll probably go with,” Jadeja told Cricbuzz.

India will play the second T20I against New Zealand on November 19 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

Also Read: Took Me A While To Get Here, And I Am Grateful – Harshal Patel On Getting India Call-up