Harshal Patel is all set to return to the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against Australia after missing out on several important tours including Asia Cup 2022 due to a rib injury. Patel made a sensational entry to the Indian team last year after his exploits in IPL 2021 for Royal Challengers Bangalore as he claimed 32 wickets to emerge the Purple Cap winner.
The 31-year-old has been picked in India’s squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup and is expected to play the big responsibility of the death overs specialist.
Harshal credited head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma for being supportive and giving him clarity about his role in the team.
“They [India coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma] have been nothing but supportive. Whatever the team ethos is, they have taken precedence over individuals, which is a great thing. They told me my role exactly. They said, ‘we want you to be able to bowl in all three phases, not just middle and death’. They’ve been bowling me once at the end of the powerplay every single game just to get used to that,” Harshal told ESPNCricinfo.
In 17 T20Is, Harshal has claimed 23 wickets at an economy rate of 8.58. The upcoming T20I series will be crucial for Harshal to get the much-needed game time before the T20 World Cup.
