Harshal Patel web ST

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Rain has delayed the start of the first T20I between Ireland and India but the Hardik Pandya-led team have got the first and foremost thing right- the toss. Pandya won the toss and decided to bowl first which seems like a good decision considering India playing in foreign conditions. However, Pandya’s and VVS Laxman’s decision to leave out pacer Harshal Patel did not go too well with the Indian cricket team fans.

As soon as the Playing XI for the first T20I was revealed, fans started questioning Patel’s omission. “What's the point in leaving out Harshal Patel the highest wicket taker of previous series?” questioned one user. “Well non inclusion of Harshal Patel is questionable considering how good he bowled in the SA series,” wrote another.

 

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Notably, apart from Harshal Patel, there were a few surprise omissions as well. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who had a great IPL 2022 and also performed decently in the T20I series against South Africa was also left out. Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi also failed to find a place in India’s playing XI. Meanwhile, Umran Malik finally got a chance and became the second cricketer from the state of Jammu and Kashmir to play for India.

India (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik