Sports
IND vs SL: Once considered specialist of death overs, now becoming villain for Team India
A series of three T20 matches is being played between India and Sri Lanka. The first match was played in Mumbai, where India won by 2 runs in a thrilling contest. However, there was a time when it seemed that India could easily win this match. But the match took an exciting turn in the 19th over. Actually, India scored 162 runs while batting first against Sri Lanka for 5 wickets. Sri Lanka had to score 163 runs to win. However, the Sri Lankan team was bundled out for 160 runs. The Sri Lankan team lost even after reaching very close to victory. But it is also true that at one point of time India had a strong hold in this contest. But Harshal Patel, who came for 19 overs, gave Sri Lanka a chance to make a comeback.
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Actually, in the last 2 overs, Sri Lanka needed 29 runs to win. Captain Hardik Pandya gave the bowling to Harshal Patel, who is considered a death overs specialist. In 19 overs, Sri Lanka’s lower order batsmen scored 16 runs in this over of Harshal Patel. Somewhere, this match had slipped out of India’s hands. However, in the last over, Akshar Patel won India in this match. Harshal Patel spent 41 runs in 4 overs in this match. If we look at Harshal Patel, he has been flopping continuously for the last few matches. After performing brilliantly in IPL, Harshal Patel got a chance to play for Team India. In 25 T20 matches, Harshal Patel has taken only 29 wickets with an economy of 9.18.
Also read: IND vs SL T20 Series: There will be pressure on these three players to perform better, if they flop, they may be dropped from the team
At present, India is leading 1-0 in the three-match series. The second match will be played in Pune on 5 January. It will be interesting to see whether Harshal Patel is kept in Team India in the second match or not. Harshal Patel got a chance to play under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. However, Harshal Patel didn’t get too many chances in the big matches with Rohit Sharma somewhere or the other. The reason for this was also that Harshal Patel was continuously running out of form. Let us tell you that after the fiery batting of Deepak Hooda (41 not out in 23 balls), the Indian team adorned with young players, with the four wickets of Shivam Mavi making his debut, defeated Sri Lanka here on Tuesday in the opening T20 International of the three-match series. Recorded a thrilling victory by one run.
