Table of Contents
Wasim Jaffer questions Suryansh Shedge's selection: India's embarrassing whitewash by Ireland in the recent T20I series has raised many questions about whether this young side is ready for the tough challenges. As India is set to play five T20Is in England next month, the Men in Blue are under immense pressure, and Hardik Pandya returned to discussion.
After the 0-2 T20I series loss to Ireland, former India batter Wasim Jaffer said that the biggest difference between the two teams was that the Men in Blue did not have a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder like Hardik Pandya, who is currently recovering from injury.
Wasim Jaffer makes bold Hardik Pandya claim on India's Ireland tour disaster
Wasim Jaffer feels Hardik Pandya's role in the Indian team is much bigger than many people realize. He is not just a finisher with the bat. He also bowls important overs, sometimes even starts the bowling attack with the new ball, and is the big option whenever the team needs a breakthrough.
In Ireland, India tried youngster Suryansh Shedge in the second and final T20I and Jaffer said that it is unfair to expect the 23-year-old to do the same job as Hardik at this stage of his career. He stressed that Suryansh is not yet ready to bowl a full spell of three or four overs in international cricket.
Speaking about Nitish Kumar Reddy, the cricket pundit said that the all-rounder has the talent, but he has not yet reached the level where he can replace a match-winner like Hardik Pandya.
Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube channel, “We have seen Hardik taking the new ball at times. He gives you at least three overs and plays the role of a finisher. That cog is missing. You are playing Suryansh, but at the moment, he doesn't have the ability to bowl 3-4 overs."
"Even Nitish. They are not of that caliber at the moment. So definitely India is missing Hardilk. I feel the fast bowlers will have to step up, and the batters will also have to cover for this and outbat the opposition.”
Wasim Jaffer reveals the only positives from India's Ireland tour
However, Jaffer was happy with Harshit Rana's performance on his comeback. Harshit finished the two-match T20I series in Ireland with four wickets in two matches while making some useful runs for India in the lower order. He was also impressed with Prince Yadav.
The young fast bowler made his T20I debut in the second game and grabbed three wickets. Jaffer believes that Prince made good use of his opportunity and showed that he has the talent to succeed at this level. But Jaffer said that India “has not performed collectively” and the batting was poor.
He said, “Harshit bowled well on his comeback, and he batted well too. You can see the improvement in him, and it is visible. You can trust him with the bat at numbers eight and nine. He has been successful and positive in these two games without a doubt.”
Wasim Jaffer says England will target India's biggest weakness in Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya's absence
Ahead of the first T20I on July 1, Jaffer warned India by saying that the England series will be much tougher for them, and they will badly miss Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. However, Varun Chakravarthy joins Team India ahead of 1st T20I vs England in Durham.
Jaffer signed off by saying, “England will definitely be a tougher challenge. After the Ireland series, England will also believe that they can beat India. There are loopholes, as there is no Bumrah and Hardik. Two important players. Somebody else has to fill those shoes. The England series will be even tougher. I hope India start to play at their best after this wake-up call.”
