Apart from Stuart Broad, the latest updated MCC rules have been widely accepted by many which included the permanent ban of saliva to shine the cricket ball, no more crossing ends during dismissal and the green light to run a player out at the non-striker’s end for backing up too much – earlier known as the ‘Mankad’ mode of dismissal – have left the cricketing fraternity thrilled. However, Harshal Patel is happier with this. Meanwhile, Mankading became a matter of debate with R Ashwin’s dismissal of Jos Buttler during the 2019 IPL many didn’t like that too. And, now, with the MCC legalising it, no more will doubt it.
“I can’t say much about the saliva thing because I haven’t played a lot of red-ball cricket in the last two years. But yeah, if you are playing in cold conditions, people who don’t sweat, what are they going to do? How are they going to shine the ball? So that question remains to be answered for sure. And the Mankad thing, I felt it was a very absurd thing for us to discuss as a cricketing community because if it’s in the rule book how can it be against the spirit of the game?” Harshal Patel responded to a query from The Hindustan Times.
READ HERE: India will struggle if Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma don’t score, says Mohammad Hafeez
“Let me give you an example. People say you shouldn’t run after a throw hits the bat. Did you do it on purpose? No. But say, if you’re playing the World Cup final, and you need a run to win and the ball deflects off the bat, are you not going to run? If you’re not and stay consistent in that situation, then it’s ok, that’s your call, but I will always run because I play to win and do it within the laws of the game. If the laws allow me to do something, I will definitely do it,” further added Harshal.
Meanwhile, RCB bought him for a whopping amount of ₹10.75 and expected to do well again.
“All I can do is I can showcase the skill of batting during the practice games. That’s how I got the role of the death bowler earlier. I do feel I am under-utilised as a batter and have more to offer. If I can show something spectacular ahead of the tournament and the management sees that they can utilise me in certain situations, I will be very happy to subject myself to those,” added Harshal Patel.
READ HERE: Gary Kirsten all set to work with Hardik Pandya
“I feel like I have all the building blocks of a good T20 bowler or any format for that matter. I want to get tighter, accurate, and consistent with my execution because I have been playing the game at the professional level for the past 12 years. So, I understand and read the game and situation well. I have my strengths and weaknesses. I will continue to add different dimensions to my skillset. Like utilising angles or maybe developing another slower ball, which I can add to my armoury. Mentally, I want to be more consistent in thought. I believe consistency in action will bring about consistency in the result. I want to continue to live by the idea,” Harshal Patel concluded.
