After India’s crucial win over Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the opening game of the three-match ODI series, the former Indian opener, Wasim Jaffer said that four bowlers who cannot bat at all are a concern for the Men in Blue. Team India scored a mammoth total of 373/7 after being asked to bat first in Guwahati but at one stage it looked like the hosts will cross the 400-run mark easily.
But, India managed to score only 17 runs off the last three overs with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj batting. Wasim Jaffer added that Shami coming to bat at the number eight position is a concern for India and they need to address this.
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During a chat on ESPNCricinfo, Wasim Jaffer said, “We saw Mohammed Shami coming at number eight and it’s concerning for me. Although India made 370 runs, they managed only 17 runs in the last three overs as Shami and Mohammed Siraj were batting. It’s an area of concern, especially during a run-chase when they lose wickets and need runs at 8-10 per over. If Shami comes at number eight, it’s worrying how India can chase it.”
The Indian management went with three specialist fast bowling options in form of Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik, and Mohammed Siraj, and a leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the opening ODI.
All these four bowlers offer very little with the bat and Wasim Jaffer opines that India needs to assess whether they can go with only two specialist pacers plus Hardik Pandya or play more all-rounders like Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur.
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Explaining the same, Wasim Jaffer said, “Moving forward, India have to address it and assess whether they can go with two seamers plus Hardik Pandya or afford to play all-rounders like Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur, as there are no batters after number seven. It’s a grey area India must work on although it’s a royalty from a bowling perspective as three fast bowlers can bowl above 140. You also have a leg-spinner, but four bowlers who cannot bat at all is concerning.”
