IND vs PAK: Replace Ravindra Jadeja With Deepak Hooda, Opines Wasim Jaffer Ahead Of Super 4 Clash
Published - 03 Sep 2022, 06:48 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:12 AM
Ex-India batsman turned pundit Wasim Jaffer stated that he wants India to replace Ravindra Jadeja with Deepak Hooda in the Asia Cup Super 4 match between India and Pakistan.
India and Pakistan once again will lock horns in their first match of the Super 4 leg in Asia Cup 2022 at the Dubai International Stadium. Both teams faced each other last Sunday in the group stage fixture, where the Indian team came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda’s addition will make India’s batting lineup stronger
India suffered a major blow when their spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja got ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. Jadeja played an important part with the bat in the last match against Pakistan. Axar Patel has now been drafted into the squad as a like-to-like replacement for the remainder of the tournament.
Speaking exclusively to ESPNCricinfo, Jaffer said that Hooda will make the batting stronger. Jaffer went on to say that the 27-year-old’s flexibility with the bat and ability to bowl a few overs will add more value to the team.
“I will be tempted, there is no doubt about that. Because it makes the batting even more stronger. Against Pakistan specially, we have not played the brand of cricket we talk about, that aggressive approach, because our batting is till seven. If Hooda comes in, the batting will get a bit longer, so yeah, I will be tempted. He can bowl those two overs and he can bat anywhere,” said Jaffer.
India needs to play a left-hander against Pakistan; opines Jaffer
Jaffer was asked who he would pick between Patel and Hooda for Sunday’s clash and said that the team management would opt for the former due to the presence of Pakistani spinners, Shadab Khan and Mohammed Nawaz.
“I think that is the only question. If India doesn’t play Axar Patel, or even Rishabh Pant, I mean Rishabh Pant is not expected to play as because India have gone with Dinesh Karthik. But the only problem is, there’s no left-hander. Pakistan have Shadab Khan and Mohammed Nawaz. So you will be tempted to play atleast one left-hander and use him as a floater when they’re bowling. So saying that, that’s the only question mark. So because of that we might see Axar Patel and not Deepak Hooda,” said Jaffer.
