Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer feels that senior pacer Mohammed Shami will play against Nepal, slated to be played in Pallekele on Monday, replacing Jasprit Bumrah. However, Jaffer believes that could be the only change that India will make for their must-win game. Notably, the change will be a forced one, as Jasprit Bumrah has flown back to India due to personal reasons.
Speaking about Bumrah’s replacement, Wasim Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo: “The obvious replacement will be Mohammed Shami, and I want Shardul Thakur to play as well because I am seeing him play against Pakistan because we need somebody to bat at No. 8. There are question marks about Mohammed Shami. He hasn’t played ODI cricket for a while (about) whether he can bowl 10 overs. I don’t know if he’ll get to bowl 10 overs against Nepal, but it is the obvious change that we will get to see.”
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However, Wasim Jaffer also added how India’s top-order failed to deliver in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan on Saturday, September 2 as well. While talking about the importance of getting some runs under the belt, Jaffer again stated that it will be crucial for India’s top-order batter to do well against Nepal.
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“I am hoping India win the toss and they get to bat, so the top order gets to spend some time in the middle and score some runs, and get some confidence, even though it’s against Nepal, but runs against your name always help. The top order didn’t fire. It was trying conditions against a quality bowling attack. But you want them to spend some time in the middle against Nepal. Their new ball bowlers aren’t that bad. They put up a decent show against Pakistan in the first powerplay. So, if the Indian top order gets the runs, that’s one box that needs to be ticked before you play Pakistan again,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.
