New Zealand Tour of India: Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Venkatesh Iyer

New Zealand Tour of India: New Faces– IPL 2021 bowling sensations Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan and allrounder Venkatesh Iyer were rewarded with a place in the upcoming India vs New Zealand T20I series from November 17. The top wicket-takers in the IPL seasons and expected to weave their magic against Blackcaps. On the other hand, Venkatesh Iyer is expected to display his fearless brand of cricket right from the word GO. Follow India vs New Zealand T20I updates on insidesport.in

New Zealand Tour of India: IPL performers Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Venkatesh Iyer rewarded for T20I series

India Squad for New Zealand Series: Unfit Hardik Pandya dumped, Venkatesh Iyer takes his place, Rohit Sharma to lead India vs NZ

Harshal Patel & Avesh Khan

While Harshal Patel equalled Dwayne Bravo’s record for most scalps in an IPL season, Delhi Capitals’ Avesh Khan overtook the likes of India pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohd Shami. The duo are expected to fill the giant shoes as the two stalwarts of the Indian cricket team are rested for the T20I series.

Harshal Patel of RCB took 32 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 8.14 rpo.
Avesh Khan scalped 24 wickets in IPL 2021 with an even better economy of 7.37 rpo.
The duo were also part of the T20 World Cup as net bowlers for the first few days of the tournament.
They are favourite to dominate New Zealand in absence of Bumrah and Shami.
Harshal Patel was brilliant with his knuckle-balls throughout the season while Avesh Khan was rock solid with his swing. The duo will have to prove themselves in the international setup and sub-continent.
Patel, 30, has experience of playing 116 T20s with 138 wickets. His partner Avesh has also featured in 48 matches with 65 scalps.

Harshal Patel in IPL

Bowling	Mat	Balls	Runs	WKTS	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4W	5W
Career	63	1,264	1,808	78	5/27	23.17	8.58	16.20	1	1
2021	15	338	459	32	5/27	14.34	8.14	10.56	1	1

Avesh Khan in IPL 2021

Bowling	Mat	Balls	Runs	WKTS	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR
2021	16	366	450	24	3/13	18.75	7.37	15.25

Venkatesh Iyer

KKR allrounder Venkatesh Iyer was also the find of the tournament. He took the IPL 2021 Phase 2 by storm.
The left-handed batsman looked fearless right from game 1.
He went on to score 370 runs at an average of 40+ that comprised 4 half-centuries.
He played at a strike rate of 128 and smashed 14 sixes across 10 matches.
Venkatesh Iyer also scalped 3 wickets with the ball. He can play the role of a finisher.

Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2021

Batting and Fielding	Mat	No	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	CT	ST

2021	10	1	370	67	41.11	288	128.47	0	4	37	14	7	0

Ruturaj Gaikwad, meanwhile, has kept his place after raking most runs in IPL 2021 or Orange Cap.
He had scored record 635 runs in IPL 2021 season with the help of a century and 4 fifties.
His average at 45+ and strike rate of 136 helped CSK win their 4th IPL trophy.
Gaikwad earlier made his India debut in Sri Lanka.

POS	PLAYER	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s
1	Ruturaj Gaikwad	16	16	2	635	101*	45.35	466	136.26	1	4	64	23

India’s T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj

New Zealand will play a T20I series and then follow it up with two Test matches. The T20Is will be played on November 17 in Jaipur, November 19 in Ranchi and November 21 in Kolkata. The two Tests will be played in Kanpur (November 25-29) and Mumbai (December 3-7).

Meanwhile, RCB opener Devdutt Padikkal and IPL 2021 speedster Umran Malik has managed to enter India A squad for South Africa.

Devdutt Padikkal in IPL