Harshal Patel Is Definitely A Tick For The T20 World Cup 2022 At This Stage: Ajay Jadeja

Former Indian player Ajay Jadeja said that Indian pacer Harshal Patel could be the pick among the bowlers for the T20 World Cup.

After thumping West Indies 3-0 in the ODI series, India handed a similar result to the visitors in the three-match T20I series. India outsmarted the Kieron Pollard-led side in the final T20I by 17 runs on Sunday at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Harshal Patel scripts 3/22 vs WI in final T20I

West Indies were chasing 184 in the second innings, the match seemed poised at one stage as Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran were busy attacking the Indian bowlers.

Harshal came to India’s rescue as he bowled one slower delivery outside the off-stump to Powell who miscued the shot and only for Shardul Thakur’s brilliant catch made the dismissal successful. Harshal cleaned the stumps of West Indies all-rounder Roston Chase with a yorker.

He got Romario Shepherd in the penultimate over as his match figures read 3/22 from his four-over spell.

The more you play Harshal Patel, people will get used to something: Ajay Jadeja

Jadeja said that Harshal could pair along with Bumrah for the T20 World Cup in Australia this year. The former Indian player also mentioned that the more India will play Harshal, the opposition batters might decode his bowling mastery.

“The T20 World Cup is a long way away but he is definitely a tick for the World Cup at this stage. The more you play Harshal, people will get used to something. They keep watching you and the pattern of your bowling – when do you bowl slower ones and yorkers,” Jadeja said on Cricbuzz.

“If you expose him more, he might be less effective. But Australia grounds are huge, where he would be very useful. At this moment, if the Indian team had to be picked, you’ll probably write his name alongside Bumrah.

“From the time he has come into the Indian team, he has done everything right. Rohit has used him brilliantly as well, bringing him in those crucial overs once the field spreads. Every time he feels like he needs a wicket, he brings him on, which is very clever,” he added.

Harshal picked five wickets in the T20I series against West Indies, the most by an Indian bowler, second overall behind Roston Chase.

Also Read: IND vs WI: Watch – Harshal Patel Bamboozles Roston Chase With An Off-cutter In 3rd T20I