Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pace bowler Harshal Patel has emerged as one of the top players for his side as he helped RCB win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday. And, Australian cricketer Chris Lynn has applauded the seamer for dismissing the explosive batter like Andre Russell.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Lynn said that Patel is a bowler who is always a step ahead of the batters. He said, “Harshal Patel is proactive and is always a step ahead. His first ball to Andre Russell was an off-cutter. Russell then wasn’t expecting a slower-ball bouncer where he tried to play a big cut shot. The beauty of it is that his on-pace delivery is still quite slippery, so he beat him for pace on the 2nd ball. There was also a ball that he squeezed to short fine-leg. The pressure built up so much on him after the dot balls that he played the shot out of panic.”

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In the same conversation, ex-India opener Wasim Jaffer said: “Harshal Patel started his over by bowling a little close to Russell and that is when he tried to swing it to his favoured area of mid-wicket. But after that, he bowled a little wider. He surprised him with the pace and got the edge ultimately. He was very proactive there and wanted him to hit on the off-side.”

Notably, Harshal Patel has started his spell with two maiden overs. He also picked up the important wicket of Sam Billings whereas KKR were bundled out for 128 runs. Chris Lynn, who has played alongside Dinesh Karthik for KKR in the past, stated that one needs to be on his toes while batting with Karthik.

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“I’ve played with Dinesh Karthik and when he used to be the incoming batter, after the end of the over he would do five press-ups, run back and touch the dressing room door at the Eden Gardens. When you are batting with him, your game awareness has to be on point,” Chris Lynn concluded.