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

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer expressed concerns over skipper Hardik Pandya’s strike rate in both ODIs and T20Is during the recently concluded West Indies tour. Wasim Jaffer stated that Hardik Pandya looked rusty in the white-ball series, highlighting his struggles in rotating the strike.

Hardik Pandya scored just 8 runs off his first 16 balls during the series decider against the Men in Maroon. The all-rounder smashed a six off the following delivery. However, he was caught out at the boundary line on the very next ball while attempting a big shot in Romario Shepherd’s bowling.

Hardik Pandya Looks Little Rusty – Wasim Jaffer

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Wasim Jaffer highlighted that Hardik Pandya started slowly during the third ODI against the Windies, where he scored 70 runs off 52 deliveries.

“Well, it has been a concern. He looks little rusty. We can’t say that the free-flowing Hardik Pandya who comes in and strikes it sweetly,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.

“Doesn’t mean hitting sixes but striking it nicely, rotating the strike. Apart from the fifty he scored in the 3rd ODI, where also he started very very slowly, and picked it up in the slog overs. But even then he looked a little rusty,” he added.

The Indian skipper scored just 77 runs in five T20I matches with an average of 25.67 and a disappointing strike rate of 110. In his overall T20I career, he scored 1362 runs in 73 innings with a strike rate of 139.83.

Hardik Pandya Puts The Pressure On The Other Guys – Wasim Jaffer

The former Indian opener mentioned that Hardik Pandya’s slow starts in the series added pressure on the batters at the other end, leading to their dismissals.

“Because he started so slowly, Shubman Gill struggled at the other end, and Obviously he got out. That’s a concern for me. Looking at how Hardik Pandya batted in the series, that was a big concern. Not everytime he is going to start slowly, and he is going to finish strongly.

We could see this during this series as well. As soon as he comes, the momentum drops down, the strike-rate comes down and puts the pressure on the other guys and the dug out as well. Something for him to worry, take note and improve,” he concluded.