Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has added that it would be a futile exercise to play Ruturaj Gaikwad in the third match against West Indies on Sunday as well. He added that it would be better if Ishan Kishan plays in the third T20I against West Indies and Gaikwad should play during the T20I series against Sri Lanka. However, Gaikwad was part of the ODI squad in South Africa and was chosen in both the white-ball squads for the series against West Indies but didn’t get a chance to play.

Discussing the changes Team India could bring for the third T20I, he told ESPN Cricinfo: “We need to give Ishan Kishan another game and play him in the third T20I. Then we must think about giving Ruturaj (Gaikwad) a chance in the Sri Lanka series. He should be given a longer rope, maybe a series. No point giving Ruturaj one game. It makes sense to have continuity with players so they know that they are going to play the full series.”

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“We need to be patient with Ishan Kishan. We all know that he is a quality player. He has got fifties on T20I and ODI debuts and has such a fine IPL record for Mumbai Indians. But he has just been bought for ₹15 crore, that plays on players’ minds. And, it wasn’t easy straightaway. The ball was swinging a little. Even Rohit (Sharma) scored at almost a run-a-ball for his 19. We need to leave him alone. Once he gets going, he’ll be fine,” Wasim Jaffer further added.

After Kishan’s early dismissal, Virat Kohli came in and played an important knock. He looked in brilliant touch and scored an impressive fifty as well. Kohli smashed 52 off 41 as India posted 186 for 5 batting first.

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“Kohli looked in sublime form. The wicket was good to bat on and he came out like he was already set. Kieron Pollard played with his mind by having a short leg. I don’t know why, but Kohli responded really well. Even though he hasn’t got hundreds in 50-overs and Test cricket, he is in fine form in T20Is. If he keeps batting like this, I don’t think the magic three-figure mark is too far way,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.