“Four bowlers who can’t bat at all is worrying”
Former Indian Test cricketer Wasim Jaffer has raised concerns about the men’s team combination after the first ODI against Sri Lanka. Jaffer feels India need to find room for an additional bowling all-rounder as their four bowlers are utterly inept with the bat.
The hosts went with three specialized pacers alongside Hardik Pandya, while Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel handled the spin bowling department.
At one point India looked like 400 on the track. However, they managed just 17 runs in the last three overs and hit just one boundary, losing two wickets as Sri Lanka limited them to 373.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Jaffer opined that India need to reconsider their team composition as they could struggle in the hunt if they lose cheap early wickets. The 44-year-old said beating Mohammed Shami in eighth was not convincing enough and Shardul Thakur or Washington Sundar should play in his place.
“We saw Mohammed Shami finish eighth and that worries me. Despite hitting 370 runs, India only managed 17 runs in the last three overs as Shami and Mohammed beat Siraj. chase when they are losing wickets and need runs of 8-10 per over. If Shami finishes eighth, it’s worrying how India can pursue.
“In the future, India will have to look at that and assess whether they can go with two Searn plus Hardik Pandya or afford to play against all-rounders like Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur as there are no batsmen after number seven. It’s a gray area that India needs to work despite being royalty from a bowling perspective as three fast bowlers can bowl over 140. They also have a leg spinner, but four bowlers who can’t bat at all is a concern.
While the hosts won by a convincing 67-run margin, only Mohammed Siraj finished with a respectable 4.28 save rate. Umran Malik, who took three wickets, finished with numbers of 8-0-57-3 while Shami remained wicketless and conceded runs at 7.44 in nine overs.
“A Sensational Hundreds in a Lost Cause” – Wasim Jaffer on Dasun Shanaka’s Hundreds
When asked if Dasun Shanaka was making a one-on-one fight for Sri Lanka, Jaffer agreed, saying India lacked ideas on sacking the jack-of-all-trades. He felt that Shanaka’s second ODI ton reduced the loss margin significantly. Jaffer added:
“Absolutely. At least on the batting front, it looks like there will be Dasun Shanaka versus Indian bowlers and the series is heading in that direction. For a long time it seemed that India had no answers on how to stop and release Shanaka.
“Sri Lanka would have lost by an even bigger margin if he hadn’t scored a hundred goals. It was a great shot as the captain led from the front. A few more runs from the top batters would have brought Sri Lanka closer to the goal. However, he saved Sri Lanka from a massive defeat by reducing the lead. So a sensational hundred in a lost cause.”
That was the 1st ODI against India. You win with 67 runs. Dasun Shanaka 108* (88b)#INDvSL https://t.co/NkhostG9Nk
The 31-year-old finished unbeaten on 108 and formed an unbroken 100-run partnership with Kasun Rajitha for the ninth wicket. However, the goal turned out to be too steep.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-four-bowlers-bat-concerning-wasim-jaffer-wants-india-re-think-team-combination?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sportskeeda “Four bowlers who can’t bat at all is worrying”
