When Harshal Patel didn’t play in the first game of the T20I series against West Indies, the Indian fans thought that the team management probably wanted to try a couple of other young Indian fast bowlers and since Harshal was a certainty in India’s T20I XI, he was rested.
But, mid-way through the West Indies tour, it was clear that Harshal Patel was not being rested and he had actually suffered a side strain. However, since it was only a strain, the selectors were still hopeful about his availability for the Asia Cup 2022.
Harshal was not risked in any of the 5 T20Is in West Indies, as it might have aggravated his injury even more. But, even after resting right through the West Indies tour, Harshal’s side strain didn’t heal fast enough for him to take part in the Asia Cup.
India has already picked Avesh Khan as Harshal’s replacement in the Asia Cup squad. Avesh is also a very talented fast bowler and has proven his worth in the IPL, but Harshal was probably a bit more skilled in terms of his change-ups and dipping Yorkers. Avesh is quicker in terms of speed, but it remains to be seen if he turns out as useful for India, as Harshal was since the last T20 World Cup.
Harshal Patel has the ability to contribute with the bat too
Harshal Patel, along with the other injured Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, is in the NCA right now, where the physios are working on his fitness, but the selectors are not absolutely sure anymore if Harshal will be fit for the T20 World Cup which is less than 8 weeks away.
Good News For Indian Cricket Fans Harshal Patel Back In Nets He Started Bowling In The Nets.#CricketTwitter #AsiaCup2022
Advertisement— Prajwal (@Prajwal2742) August 26, 2022
The reason why Harshal is so important for India’s T20I set-up is because he can bat a little bit too and with him playing as one of the three specialist seamers, India’s tail becomes a bit shorter than it is otherwise.
