The veteran India wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik reckons that IPL 2021 Purple Cap winner Harshal Patel can be a replacement of Mohammed Siraj in the second T20I against New Zealand. Karthik pointed out that both Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan are in top form, but the RCB pacer’s change of pace will be crucial in Ranchi. Siraj had a far from decent outing against New Zealand in the first T20I as the young fast bowler conceded 39 runs in his four overs while picking up the wicket of Rachin Ravindra.

During a chat on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik said, “Both of them are bowling at the best of their careers so far… So you can blindly play any one of them. I personally feel Harshal Patel will be better because obviously, you know, the change of pace in Ranchi [which is a] slightly slow wicket.”

ALSO READ: Rachin Ravindra Is Named After Sachin Tendulkar And Rahul Dravid

He further added, “Avesh Khan is very good with slower ones as well but Harshal Patel is bowling with such good rhythm that you want to give him the opportunity and see what he brings to the table. But another way you look at it is – you have somebody who bowls 135 in Deepak Chahar and Bhuvi. If you want someone with more pace then the option is Avesh Khan. It’s a good headache to have…” 

Former Indian cricketer, Ajay Jadeja also came in support of thoughts of Karthik, saying, Harshal Patel would be the better option to bowl the overs which Mohammed Siraj bowled in 1st T20I (4th, 11th, 15th, and 20th).

WATCH – Ben Wheeler Cheekily Runs Out A Batsman Standing Out of The Crease

Ajay Jadeja said, “The way Siraj was used, probably Harshal Patel because he bowled one in the powerplay and two right at the end… what he has done in the IPL, the reason why he’s been picked in the side – his strength is that when the game is moving at a different pace and the batsman is trying to dominate that’s when his slower one becomes more useful. If you have to use him the same way and the others around then Harshal is the one I’ll probably go with.”