Harshal Patel is a worry if pitches in Australia for T20 World Cup are flat, bouncy: Sanjay Manjrekar
India Today
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar wondered if Harshal Patel's slower balls would be effective on fast and bouncy pitches in Australia during the T20 World Cup. Harshal is yet to play T20is Down Under.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed doubts over Harshal Patel's effectiveness in Australian conditions when India head Down Under for the T20 World Cup, starting October 16. The cricketer-turned pundit said Harshal's slower balls might not be an effective tool to contain batters on pitches that have pace and bounce.
Harshal Patel returned to the India T20I side after recovering from rib injury for the ongoing 3-match series against Australia at home. The pacer has evolved into an effective weapon in the middle as well as the death overs for India in T20Is.
Harshal's slower balls have worked wonders as the Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer disguises the delivery without much change in his bowling action. Harshal, who won the Purple Cap in IPL 2021 with a record-equalling tally of 32 wickets, has managed to pick up 23 wickets in 18 T20Is with his economy rate being on the higher side of 8 per over.
The RCB pacer was taken to the cleaners on his return to the T20I side as he gave away 49 runs in his 4-over quota as Australia gunned down a 209-target with 4 balls to spare in Mohali.
"Harshal is someone we've seen for a number of years. We've seen him in the IPL as well. He's a guy who rebels when the pitch is dry when his slower ball becomes really slow and becomes very difficult to play," Manjrekar told Sports18.
Harshal is yet to play T20I cricket in Australia. The 31-year-old was hammered on a flat pitch in Ireland earlier this year as he gave away 54 runs in his 4-over spell. Notably, Harshal has conceded at over 9 runs per over in 2022 but the team management has backed his skillset and wicket-taking ability for the T20 World Cup.
"Last time his slower balls were going at around 120kmph. So, it's not a huge drop in pace. So, Harshal is a worry if the pitch is flat, bouncy and pacy. That's what you'll get in Australia. So that's another thing that India will be mindful of, the skills of Harshal in Australia," Manjrekar added.
