Harshal Patel, Venkatesh Iyer, and Shivam Mavi may be called up to the Indian team to help with T20 WC preparation

The Indian team management is considering enlisting the help of RCB medium-pacer Harshal Patel, KKR opener Venkatesh Iyer, and pacer Shivam Mavi ahead of the T20 World Cup 2021, which begins on October 17 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. After a strong showing in the IPL this year, SRH pacer Umran Malik has already been nominated as net bowler. Patel, Iyer, and Mavi, like Malik, have all performed admirably for their respective teams, which have both qualified for the playoffs.

According to a Cricbuzz report dated October 11, at least two of them may be ordered to return to Dubai, where the Indian players are quarantining ahead of the event. “The instructions will be relayed after Monday’s Eliminator so that the player(s) do not depart the bubble and instead transfer from one bubble to another,” according to the article.

The Super12 teams also have until October 15 to decide their squads for the T20 World Cup, according to reports. “Teams have seven days to change their teams before the start of their support period. India’s support period begins on October 23 with the Super 12. So they have until midnight on October 15 to modify the team,” a source from Board of Control for Cricket in India told TOI.

“If Hardik does not improve his bowling skills, he may be dropped entirely. However, as an allrounder, he is running out of time. If either Thakur or Deepak makes the team, the selectors may ask Harshal Patel to return to the UAE,” the BCCI insider stated. The selectors will keep an eye on Hardik in the coming days to see how he develops because the selectors believed Hardik would be fit enough to bowl his quota of overs so they went with just three real pacers.

India, who are in Group B, will begin their campaign on October 24 against arch-rival Pakistan.