'Want to be tighter with my execution': Harshal Patel


image-l894oh27Harshal Patel will be seen in action against Australia | PC: Twitter

India pacer Harshal Patel, who has established himself as one of the best fast bowlers in the shortest format of the game, is all set to make his comeback to the Indian set-up in the upcoming T20I series against Australia, starting on Tuesday (September 20) at Mohali. 

The Gujarat speedster has also been named in India's T20I World Cup squad alongside frontline pacer Jasprit Bumrah after the duo completed their recovery in NCA. Patel earlier missed the recently concluded Asia Cup T20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates due to a rib injury. 

Heading into the showpiece event Down Under, the right-arm quick is currently working on his execution, which is one of the toughest nuts to crack for death over specialists. Patel is looking to nail all the voids and bowl all 24 deliveries with absolute accuracy. 

Talking about his execution in the recent conversation with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Harshal Patel said:

“I want to be tighter with my execution. And I achieved that more or less last IPL [19 wickets in 15 matches]. I will continue to strive for that. If I'm bowling one or two bad balls out of 24, [I want to see] if I can completely eliminate that.”

“You're not going to be able to do that every single game, but if I can do that in two games out of five, or three games out of five, that will be a goal worth striving for."  


Harshal Patel looking to add more variation

The 31-year-old has received accolades from all corners of the world for his dipping slower deliveries that have deceived even the best in business with the willow. 

Batters have been trying hard to interpret the pacer's slower balls for a while now but he keeps discovering new ways to trouble them and stay a step ahead of them.

Providing insight over the same, Harshal said: 

“I've explored a little bit in terms of the lengths I can bowl with the slower ball. Usually, when I bowl the slower balls, it's mainly fuller or at a good length. But now I've started bowling shorter slower balls which are working out very well for me. That's one thing obviously.”

The Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer, despite having the most lethal weapon in his arsenal, is looking to add more variations to his armoury: 

“So, every time I'd go to practice, I'd take a new ball and start bowling with it because it's good to have a skill and not need it than the other way round. It's just something I've been working on and if I get an opportunity, for India or for RCB, I would love to do that.” 

Harshal Patel has played 17 T20Is for team India, in which he has claimed 23 wickets at an economy rate of 8.58. The upcoming T20I series against Australia will be crucial for the RCB paceman to get in the rhythm before jetting off to Australia for the T20I World Cup. 


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