Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer said that both Team India and Arshdeep Singh would have been disappointed with the way young pacer leaked runs in the final over during the hosts’ 21-run defeat in the first T20I against New Zealand in Ranchi on Friday (January 27).
The young pacer conceded 51 runs, including 27 runs in the final over, in his quota of four overs and took the important wicket of Devon Conway (52) at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
Well, Jaffer believes that Arshdeep's 20th over costed India heavily in the first T20I against New Zealand, saying the Men in Blue would have been comfortable chasing down the target of around 160 if the young pacer did not leak that many runs in the final over in Ranchi.
Wasim Jaffer was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo: “India would have been happy with chasing around 160. Even though India would have lost the way they batted, psychologically, when you restrict a team under 160 from getting to 180 it gives you confidence, but that over cost us quite a bit.”
He further added, “India and Arshdeep would have been disappointed. But full credit to Daryl Mitchell for the way he struck the ball and the way the last over turned out to be.”
Meanwhile, Jaffer lauded New Zealand’s stand-in captain Mitchell Santner’s brilliant captaincy in the first T20I against Team India in Ranchi. He said, “Mitchell Santner also bowled well and the way he captained the side using his resources was commendable. He was absolutely spot on.”
Jaffer signed off by saying, “Conway and Finn Allen gave them a good start before Washington Sundar put the brakes on the scoring. Spinners bowled really well and brought India back into the match.”
