New Delhi: Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has given his opinion regarding the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October-November this year. The former India skipper has named the player for this tournament, who will prove to be the 'trump card' for the Indian cricket team. Rohit Sharma-led India will aim to better their performance from last year in upcoming T20 World Cup. The Indian team recently hosted South Africa for a five-match T20I series after the conclusion of IPL 2022, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Taking note of this series and IPL, Gavaskar has heaped praise on young pacer Harshal Patel for his stellar bowling performances.
After India vs South Africa T20 series, Gavaskar, during a conversation on Star Sports said that Harshal Patel would prove to be the trump card for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022.
"He will be one of the trumps cards because you have Bhuvneshwar, Shami and Bumrah as well. Brilliant for a skipper to have someone like him to depend on, He can come in and bowl may be even in the powerplay where people are now going with change of pace. So yes he certainly should be part of the group," Gavaskar said.
Proteas legend Graeme Smith, who was part of the same panel, also hailed Harshal.
"He has been excellent. Nobody skills in the death overs with the slower balls...but I feel from game 3 he found his right length and picked up wickets and kept the pressure on the South Africans. He has all the skills as an all-rounder bowler and is a big asset to the team and handles pressure very well and is a clear thinker under pressure," he said.
Harshal Patel was the highest wicket-taker for the Indian team in the five-match T20I series against South Africa. The pacer picked 7 wickets in the series. In the absence of senior pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Harshal Patel will lead the Indian pace attack along with vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the two-match T20I series against Ireland on June 26 and 28.