IND vs IRE: "Our Batting Needs To Come Till At Least No. 8" - Wasim Jaffer Points Out Lack Of Depth In India's T20I Lineup

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer criticized the team management’s decision to field with just seven batters in the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies. Wasim Jaffer highlighted that the Men in Blue should add depth to their batting lineup for the T20 World Cup 2024.

India fielded only five specialist batters and two all-rounders, including Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, in their playing XI during the recent series. The lack of depth in the batting lineup contributed to the team’s loss in the five-match series by a margin of 2-3 in the Caribbean Islands and the USA.

The Guys Coming In Can’t Play Freely – Wasim Jaffer

In a post-match discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Wasim Jaffer pointed out that the Hardik Pandya-led team’s tail will start after losing five wickets.

“Losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill within that powerplay, that was a big setback. We all know that India only bats till No. 7. The last four don’t contribute much at all. They don’t have that boundary-hitting or six-hitting ability. When you lose two to three wickets, the guys coming in can’t play freely. It adds a lot of pressure,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.

“If we are five down, the tail starts coming. That’s exactly what has happened in the games that we have lost. That is a big concern for India. The batting hasn’t clicked. Suryakumar Yadav played well, but nobody else chipped in,” he added.

This Can’t Be The Template – Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer suggested that the Indian cricket team should address their issues with the batting lineup, as they have ample time before the next World Cup.

“The top seven has to bat the bulk of the overs. Sometimes, when you go with that mindset, it doesn’t help you. India need to address this issue,” he furthe added.

“Within 10 months’ time, India will be playing the World Cup here. This can’t be the template. Our batting needs to come till at least No. 8, possibly No. 9 – somebody who can tonk the ball,” he concluded.

The Indian team will play against Ireland in their next T20I series, which is set to begin on August 18. Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the second-string team in the three-match series in Ireland.

Also read: IND vs IRE: Wasim Jaffer Expresses Concerns Over Hardik Pandya’s Slow Batting Approach Throughout Windies Tour