Wasim Jaffer was not impressed with the way Hardik Pandya used his bowlers during Team India’s 16-run loss to Sri Lanka in the second T20I at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
Jaffer questioned some of Hardik's decisions during Sri Lanka’s batting, including handing the bowl to Shivam Mavi in the death overs in the second T20I in Pune.
The former Indian opener was expecting Pandya to bowl in the death overs instead of Mavi, as the pacer has not yet delivered impressive performances in the death overs. However, Jaffer felt Hardik should have shown trust and handed the new ball to Mavi.
According to India Today, Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo: “I expected Hardik to bowl instead of Mavi in the death. Mavi hasn’t got a reputation of bowling well in the death. Hardik had that experience. I thought he would have bowled that 20th over.”
He was also surprised to see Arshdeep Singh bowl only two overs in the second T20I despite bowling five no-balls against Sri Lanka, saying it was not a good move by Pandya.
The 44-year-old added, “I was surprised, I thought Arshdeep Singh will come in and bowl after the sixth over. He’ll probably bowl one or two overs in the middle overs and then bowl in the death. Also, just giving two overs to Arshdeep, Hardik got it wrong there.”
He signed off by saying, “Since Shivam Mavi did so well in the first game, why didn’t he bowl with the new ball? You could probably give Arshdeep the third or fourth over. Still unacceptable what Arshdeep did. But I think Hardik should have trusted Mavi.”
