IND vs WI: Wasim Jaffer Backs Inclusion Of Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan In XI For 1st T20I

Former India National Cricket Team batter Wasim Jaffer has backed the inclusion of both Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson in the playing XI for the first T20I of the India tour of West Indies 2023.

The first T20I of the five-match series between Hardik Pandya-led India National Cricket Team and Rovman Powell-led West Indies National Cricket Team will be held at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Thursday, August 03.

Both Kishan and Samson would be heading into the series with a fine form under their belt. Kishan was terrific with the bat in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against the Shai Hope-led side as he smashed three back-to-back fifties to bag the Player of the Series award. Sanju, on the other hand, played an impressive knock in the series-deciding third ODI.

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Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer said that both Kishan and Sanju will be part of his playing XI for the first game. He said:

“I’ll include both of them. This is their format. Ishan Kishan scored three fifties in the 50-over series, so he is in very good form. And Sanju is very exciting, especially in this format. If you can squeeze both of them, I would like to play both.”

I’ll go with Kuldeep Yadav over Yuzvendra Chahal – Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer further picked Arshdeep Singh as the first-choice pacer and named Mukesh Kumar as his bowling partner over Avesh Khan.

“Arshdeep is No. 1. Avesh or Mukesh, you could go to anyone. Not too much to choose from. Mukesh has been around. He’s been in the mix, so you could probably go with him. He’s been part of the team setup. He’s played the 50-overs [series], so he can probably get the first go,” the 45-year-old said.

Jaffer added that he would pick Kuldeep Yadav as the wrist-spinner over Yuzvendra Chahal in his team. He reasoned:

“If you pick both wrist-spinners, then the batting finishes at No. 7. I’ll go with Kuldeep. I would like to play Yuzi but I think it will be hard to pick him considering the balance of the XI,” Jaffer concluded.