Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer said that Indian bowlers’ inability to contribute with the bat in death overs is a cause of concern for the Indian cricket team, and the team must address this issue.
He mentioned how Team India managed only 17 runs in the last three overs when Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj were batting in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo: “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.”
The former opener added, “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.”
Jaffer stressed that having four bowlers who cannot bat at all is not a good sign for the Indian team going forward.
He added, “Moving forward, India has 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.”
The cricket pundit continued, “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.”
Jaffer also lauded Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka for his magnificent knock of 108 runs off 88 balls in the first ODI against India in Guwahati on January 10.
He signed off by saying, “Sri Lanka would have lost by an even bigger margin had he not scored a hundred. It was a magnificent knock as the captain led from the front. A few more runs from the top-order batters would have got Sri Lanka closer to the target. However, he saved Sri Lanka from a massive defeat by reducing the margin. So, a sensational hundred in a losing cause.”
