Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel and Delhi Capitals (DC) fast bowler Avesh Khan are probably two of the most impressive performers in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021).
Though both Harshal and Avesh might weren’t picked in India’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021, they still have a great chance to make it to the squad if the BCCI make changes since the host country has the time till October 10 to alter T20 World Cup squad.
Well, Gautam Gambhir is among the former cricketers who have been impressed by Harshal and Avesh’s performances in the ongoing IPL 2021. While the RCB pacer is the current Purple Cap holder with 29 wickets, the DC speedster is ranked second with 22 scalps in the ongoing IPL 14 so far.
However, Gambhir backed Avesh for India selection ahead of Harshal as he feels the DC pacer’s skill set suits the current requirements of the Indian cricket team more.
Gambhir told ESPNCricinfo: “Avesh Khan can bowl across different phases of the innings with great impact. He can bowl with the new ball, nip it in, he can bowl in the middle, and hustle you with pace. Harshal is slightly different, depends more on batsmen coming at him. So, you can compartmentalize them in different packages. The greater upside belongs to Avesh Khan if he can continue on the trend.”
The 24-year-old pacer has also been used as a net bowler by the Indian team on a few occasions and Gambhir feels he gets his maiden India call-up soon.
He signed off by saying, “Avesh Khan can bowl at different situations of the game. He is bowling alongside the likes of Rabada and Nortje and he has not looked any less than them, and they are world-class bowlers.
He can bowl over 140, I still remember the yorker he bowled to Pandya at Sharjah, so the skillset is there. So, Avesh Khan is closer and I will probably pick Avesh Khan before, he has been the stand-alone bowler in this tournament.”
