IND vs AUS LIVE: Harshal Patel will have six matches to prove his fitness in the run up to the T20 World Cup after the medium pacer was named in India’s squad for the tournament. Patel had missed the Asia Cup due to an injury but was called back for the mega event alongside Jasprit Bumrah. With Mohammed Shami on the bench, Patel will be keen to prove his form and fitness in the series against Australia and South Africa to keep his place in the side. Follow India vs Australia LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN
IND vs AUS LIVE: Countdown begins for Harshal Patel, RCB star has 6 matches to PROVE fitness ahead of T20 World Cup with Mohammed Shami lurking – Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
India welcomed back Harshal Patel into the mix as the selectors named the squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia starting next month. Patel, who has emerged as one of India’s T20I specialists over the last year or so, was an injury doubt having missed the West Indies series and the Asia Cup due to injury.
However, after passing the fitness test, he was brought back into the side and is expected to play a key role. The RCB superstar will however have to prove his form and fitness in the build-up to the tournament. The men in Blue play six T20Is against Australia and South Africa before the T20 World Cup and the 31-year-old will be tested against quality opposition.
IND vs AUS LIVE: Countdown begins for Harshal Patel, RCB star has 6 matches to PROVE fitness ahead of T20 World Cup with Mohammed Shami lurking – Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
| T20I career stats | Mat | Overs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR |
| Harshal Patel | 17 | 56.1 | 23 | 4/25 | 20.95 | 8.58 | 14.6 |
| Mohammed Shami | 17 | 59.3 | 18 | 3/15 | 31.55 | 9.54 | 19.8 |
There is a belief that Harshal’s style of bowling is ‘not suited ‘ to the conditions in Australia, with the medium pacer relying more on his variations and off-pace deliveries to get wickets. Patel has enjoyed most of his success in the subcontinent and in the UAE, where pitches are conducive for slower bowling. In Australia however, pitches aid seam and bounce making Mohammed Shami an exciting prospect to have in the ranks.
Shami is named as standby for the T20 World Cup but included in the games against Australia and South Africa. Should push come to shove, the 32-year-old will be one of the first names to be drafted in and Harshal will have to be on his toes.
Despite making his debut in 2012, Shami has only played a handful of T20Is, most of them at the T20 World Cups. The T20 World Cup 2022 would be his fourth straight world cup campaign and was part of the group stage exit last year.
IND vs AUS LIVE: Countdown begins for Harshal Patel, RCB star has 6 matches to PROVE fitness ahead of T20 World Cup with Mohammed Shami lurking – Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
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