Since I can't bowl at express pace, I have to keep developing my skills: Harshal Patel

Harshal is known for his clever variations with cutters and slower ones and stumped the dangerous David Miller with one such delivery in the last match in Visakhapatnam.

Harshal Patel celebrates the wicket of South Africa's batsman David Miller, during the 3rd T20 cricket match between India and South Africa, at Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium, in Visakhapatnam, Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

Harshal Patel, who starred with a four-wicket haul in the third T20I match against South Africa said he needs to constantly evolve his skills to stay relevant.

The pacer is known for his clever variations with cutters and slower ones and stumped the dangerous David Miller with one such delivery in the last match in Visakhapatnam.

Speaking in Rajkot ahead of the fourth match, Harshal said, “People have been trying to anticipate what I am bowling for the last two years (in IPL). With every bowler the longer they play, the opposition will realise what the bowler's strengths and patterns are.”

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“As a bowler, my job is to stay one step ahead of them. I cannot bowl fast like Umran Malik, it's plain and simple. So I have to develop skills to render myself effective. My focus is always to develop skills around my bowling, with whatever limitations and advantages I have,” he added.

The slow nature of the pitch in the last game helped the Indian bowling unit and the pacer said he preferred those kinds of wickets.

“In the last match, the wicket was slower than usual which allowed us to bowl hard lengths. It was difficult to clear boundaries on both sides,” Harshal remarked.

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“It gives you a fighting chance. If you consistently play on pitches such as Delhi, it can hamper your confidence a little bit. We also have world-class spinners who can bowl in any conditions but on a slightly slower pitch and bigger ground, it brings them into the game more,” he added.

Meanwhile, South African pacer Anrich Nortje said his team is aware of how important it is to seal the series on Friday itself.

“I said at the last game as well that this was sort of like a final for us. We didn't perform well or anything close to what we are capable of. (This is) a second chance but we need to seal the series as soon as possible and not give them an opportunity or any sniff,” said Nortje.