IND vs NZ 2021: I Felt KL Rahul Should Have Been Awarded Player Of The Match: Harshal Patel

Indian pace bowler Harshal Patel felt that KL Rahul should have received the Player of the Match award in the second T20I against New Zealand. India defeated New Zealand by seven wickets to seal the three-match T20I series 2-0.

KL Rahul led India’s chase with his firepower shots as he scored 65 off 49 balls at the strike rate of 132.65 and was involved in a 117-run stand with skipper Rohit Sharma.

I didn’t expect the Player-of-the-Match award as honestly: Harshal Patel

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.

Harshal was awarded as the Player of the match on his international debut, but the bowler wasn’t happy with it and felt Rahul played a brilliant knock and deserved it more than him.

“I didn’t expect the Player-of-the-Match award as honestly, I felt KL (Rahul) should have been awarded but am not complaining. The way he batted on a difficult pitch, it was an exceptional knock,” Harshal Patel told Haryana teammate Yuzvendra Chahal on Chahal TV.

It has been a great journey: Harshal Patel

Harshal said it was a great journey for him after staying patient to make his debut for India and also mentioned about not being able to execute the yorker deliveries.

“It has been a great journey and has taught me many lessons which will hold me in good stead even after cricket. I feel you don’t need too many variations. You just need to know what works for you and need to package it well,” Harshal said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

“I couldn’t bowl those yorkers and loopy slower ones in these conditions. The yorker is a delivery I would like to use and get better at. I have seen myself fall into shiny things so many times. It is another platform for me to come, perform and show my skills. Just want to do that and enjoy whatever comes my way,” he added.

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.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: Rahul Dravid Sir Has Always Told Me That Once You Are Done With The Preparations, You Gotta Enjoy – Harshal Patel