Following India’s series win over West Indies on Sunday (20th February) after the 17-run victory in the third T20I in Kolkata, Indian pacer Harshal Patel said the dampness in the wicket made it difficult for his side to hold on to the landing area. 

Harshal Patel starred with the ball in India’s 17-run win against West Indies in the final T20I. Defending the target of 185 runs, the right-arm pacer took three crucial wickets and bowled exceptionally well at the death to help hosts complete a 3-0 whitewash over the visitors. 

With West Indies needing 31 runs off the last two overs, Patel bowled a miserly penultimate over, conceding only 8 runs and returned with the figures of 3/22. He featured in all three matches of the series and ended as the second-highest wicket-taker with 5 scalps to his name. 

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Speaking after the match, Harshal Patel revealed that they spoke about the line and length of the ball after the powerplay as the ball was holding on to the wicket and they wanted to be a touch fuller. He remarked that the conversation was about to bowl fuller as West Indies batters were hitting the short balls well. 

"We spoke about it after the powerplay (the line and length). The ball was holding on to the wicket and therefore we wanted to keep it a little fuller. Whenever we bowled shorter they had the time to sit back and pull it. We had the conversation that we want to bowl fuller," Harshal Patel said. 

Harshal Patel further said that as a bowler his focus is on the next ball. He remakred that dampness in the wicket made it difficult for them to hold on to the landing area. 

"You have to have clarity on what you are going to bowl. Just focusing on the next delivery is important. There was a bit of dampness in the wicket because of the weather and it was making it difficult for us to hold on to the landing area. I don't think there was a lot of dew," he said. 

Harshal Patel retained his place in the team for the upcoming T20Is against Sri Lanka. The three-match series will be played from 24th to 27th March. 

(ANI inputs)