Harshal Patel entered a rare list of batters with his unusual way of dismissal in maiden T20I innings with the bat. Harshal got out hit wicket in the penultimate over of third T20I against New Zealand at Eden Gardens. The bowling all-rounder was trying to play square of the wicket but ended up hitting the stumps.
The 30-year-old became the second Indian batter to be dismissed in this fashion in T20I cricket. The Gujarat-born cricketer also became the second batter to be dismissed hit wicket in his maiden T20I innings. West Indies Hayden Walsh is the only other batter who got out this way in 2019 against UAE.
Harshal was going all guns blazing in the death overs. He played a fantastic 18-run cameo off 11 deliveries including two fours and one six. His cameo helped India put on a total of 184/7 after opting to bat first for the first time in the series.
Later in the match, Harshal took two wickets for 26 runs in three overs he bowled. He was expensive in his third over going for two sixes as tailender Lockie Ferguson took him on. Ferguson was also the Kiwi bowler bowling the penultimate over of the innings.
He got the wickets of James Neesham and Ish Sodhi in his second game. In his debut game as well in Ranchi, he took two wickets including an economical display in the death overs.
