Harshal Patel & Bumrah together can change the dynamics of India’s T20 death bowling: Daniel Vettori

Former New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori reckoned that Harshal Patel and Jasprit Bumrah can change the face of India’s death bowling, especially in T20 cricket. Even as Bumrah has already established himself as one of the best death bowlers in the country, Harshal has hogged the headlines in recent times.

In the 2021 Indian Premier League, Harshal Patel picked up 32 wickets for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He also won the Purple Cap and racked up a hat-trick against the Mumbai Indians. The speedster also equalled Dwayne Bravo’s tally of most wickets in a single IPL edition.

Vettori, who has played for various franchises in the IPL, said that bowling in the death overs is of prime importance for any team. The veteran said that Harshal and Bumrah together can make the Men in Blue a strong unit.

There are not many bowlers who can do it, says Daniel Vettori

“The ability to set up the back overs is so important in T20 cricket. If Harshal Patel has that ability, we obviously know that Bumrah does, it brings a whole new dynamic to how you map out your 20 overs,” Vettori was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.

“Your first six overs can be more attacking; you may have a specialist at the top because you know you have got those overs locked away at the back. There are not many bowlers who can do it and if India have two of Bumrah and Harshal, it sets them up for being such a formidable team,” he added.

Harshal, recently, has been rewarded with a spot in the Indian national team. The pacer was included for the three-match T20I series against the Black Caps. He didn’t play the first game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, but he played the second game in Ranchi on Friday.

Patel replaced Mohammed Siraj, who injured his finger during the first T20I on Wednesday. Harshal didn’t flatter to deceive as he finished with figures of 4-0-25-2. The speedster got the prized wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, who both looked ominous after getting starts.

India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after winning the Ranchi T20I by seven wickets. The Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the third T20I in Kolkata on Sunday.