Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer urged Indian openers to give a strong start for the team against West Indies in the crucial fourth game on Saturday. The Indian opening partnership has been let down for India in the series so far as they failed to give the side a good start for the team in the first three games.
Just before the start of the West Indies series, Shubman Gill has been in fantastic form in International cricket this year, with an average of over 60 across three formats, including five centuries in 17 matches but could not replicate his fine form against the Men in Maroon in all three formats apart from scoring a lone half-century in the final ODI of the three-match series.
Speaking to Espncricinfo, Wasim Jaffer feels that it is important for the openers to give a good start for India in the powerplay as he sets up a good platform for Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma to play an aggressive brand of cricket down the order and wants them to show better intent in the 4th game and urged Shubman Gill to play a bit aggressive as it could make a difference for the team in the coming games.
“We have spoken about how important it is for the openers to get off to a good start in the powerplay and give players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma a good platform. But they won’t be worried about it as they will know they need to show intent straightaway.”
“Jaiswal will bat with aggressive intent and I feel Shubman Gill is being a bit too defensive. If he gets 2-3 good shots straightaway then that could make a huge difference,” Wasim Jaffer said.
Shubman Gill had been in top form before the start of the International calendar as the played a crucial role for Gujarat Titans in the cash-rich league. In IPL 2023 season, the Indian youngster slammed 851 runs at an average of 60.79 and a strike rate of 156.43 but could not make a real impact for the Indian team in the West Indies series.
Two Wrist-spinners Should Definitely Play, But A Pacer Can Be Replaced – Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer feels that it would be tempting for the Indian team management to play extra batter in the team, as the Indian skipper Hardik Pandya can take up the responsibility in the bowling department with Tilak Varma also can chip in with some overs in the middle and asserted that the Indian team can replace a pacer in the team to strengthen the Indian batting order.
“It will be tempting to add an extra batter because Hardik Pandya has been bowling his four overs. The way Axar has been used and with Tilak as an option too, why not play an extra batter?
“Two wrist spinners should definitely play, but a pacer can be replaced. Will Hardik Pandya be able to bowl at the death? That’s something only he can answer,” Wasim Jaffer added.
Hardik Pandya will be looking to win the next two games against the West Indies to seal the series on the Caribbean soil, whereas the Men in Maroon will seal a bilateral series against India after 17 long years.