Following an injury layoff, Harshal Patel will return to action for India. Patel will partner Jasprit Bumrah in India’s pre-World Cup campaign against defending champions Australia, despite not being selected for the Asia Cup squad.
Earlier this week, Patel spoke about returning players’ insecurities and the support he has received from his captain and coach. Patel is expected to play in India’s first T20I match against Australia on 20 September in Mohali.
They (India coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma) have been nothing but supportive. It takes a bit of pressure off you. Because sometimes people make foolish decisions when they’re returning to play. In the days leading up to the match, the fast bowler told ESPNCricinfo that they were either pushing too hard or trying to do too much because they felt their place was in danger or whatever reason they had.
As a result of multiple injuries in the squad, India is hoping to unleash its full strength against Australia. In the run-up to the World Cup, it is imperative that plans are ironed out and that memories of the 2021 World Cup group stage exit are swept away.
It gives you a sense of comfort or comfort to know that the team management will remember what you did prior to getting injured, and that those performances and contributions will not be forgotten. You know that you will hold that place in the team once you go back into the team – of course you will have to perform again and again and that applies to every single cricketer – once you return to the team.
