Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer believes India’s spin bowling is a concern after the team narrowly won the first T20I against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday by two runs. Yuzvendra Chahal, India’s lead spinner, had a very ordinary game, leaking 26 runs in the two overs he bowled.
Chahal conceded 17 runs in his second over he bowled as he was hit for two sixes by Wanindu Hasaranga. On the other hand, Axar Patel conceded 31 runs in the three overs he bowled. Patel was backed to bowl the 20th over by Hardik Pandya when 13 runs were required.
The left-arm orthodox spinner was able to hold his nerve at the end as India clinched the thriller. However, the two Indian spinners conceded 57 runs in the five overs they bowled collectively and also went wicketless.
Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo: “Chahal had a very ordinary game and that’s a disappointment. The spinners only bowled two overs each. And Axar had to bowl his third over – the last over. I think that’s a concern going forward. In most conditions, you would want your two spinners to bowl at least seven overs if not eight.”
On the other hand, Wasim Jaffer feels Hardik Pandya should bowl his quota of overs consistently for the team. Pandya bowled three overs against Sri Lanka and conceded 12 runs but decided not to ball the final over due to cramps. Furthermore, Pandya revealed he wants to put his team in a difficult situation in order to prepare them for the big matches of the World Cup.
“Hardik needs to bowl. That’s again a concern. He takes rest as and when India can afford to give him rest. But going forward, because it is the World Cup, sometimes India might play with three seamers and he might have to bowl 8-10 overs in the game.”
“He had to complete his quota today (Tuesday). Even going forward, he needs to bowl a lot more. He can be, at times, the third seamer that India needs.”
India was able to get over the line but Sri Lanka was always in the game. The second T20I between these two teams will be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Thursday.
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