Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar recently slammed a fan who questioned Harshal Patel’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad. The BCCI on Monday, September 12, announced a 15-member squad for the marquee T20 competition scheduled to take place in Australia.
Harshal, who missed the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022 due to an injury, was named in the squad. He underwent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for a few week to attain full fitness.
The death over specialists to feature in the T20I series against Australia and South Africa to get back his rhythm ahead of the T20 World Cup. During a live Q&A session with Sunil Gavaskar on Sports Tak, the fan asked the legendary batter whether Patel’s selection was justified and said:
“Harshal can get smashed for runs in Australia. He doesn’t have much pace and given the kind of pitches that there are Down Under, batters can attack him.”
The question didn’t go down well with Sunil Gavaskar and the veteran commentator slammed the fan for making a premature judgement. He stated:
“Aagey jaa kar dekhenge na unki pitai kaise ho sakti hai. Aap ne pehle se hi tay kar diya, pitai hogi kyuki wo slow bowling karte hain. Yaar pehle match toh hone do? Uske baad aap bol sakte hain ‘Aisa ho gaya, waisa ho gaya’ (We will see that once the tournament starts. How can you already decide that he will go for runs? You came to a conclusion because he bowls slow. At least let the match happen first. Then sure, you can say ‘This happened, that happened’).”
“If it is overcast or dew, you can pick one more seamer” – Sunil Gavaskar on whether India can four pacers
Sunil Gavaskar didn’t rule out the idea of playing with four seamers, saying that if conditions are overcast, the think tank can consider playing an extra seamer.
“India can even go in with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (as the fourth pacer). But it will depend on what the conditions are and who the opposition is. If there is grass, then include three pacers and one spinner. If it is overcast or dew, you can pick one more seamer,” he concluded.
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