ENG vs IND: Rohit Sharma Makes A Significant Difference As Captain When India Is Bowling: Wasim Jaffer
Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer believes Rohit Sharma’s presence as captain makes a significant difference, particularly when the team is fielding. After missing the Birmingham Test due to COVID-19, the 35-year-old returned to the playing XI for the first T20I against England.
In Southampton, Rohit made history by becoming the first captain to win 13 consecutive T20Is. India batted first and scored an amazing 198/8. The bowlers also performed an excellent job in limiting England to 148 runs.
Arshdeep Singh Must Play The Next Two Games: Wasim Jaffer
Reflecting on Team India’s convincing victory in the series opener, Jaffer stated that Rohit’s presence as skipper out in the middle makes a major difference. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, he stated:
“I would definitely say that when India is bowling, Rohit the captain makes a huge impression. The changes that he makes and the calls that he takes, that makes a huge difference.”
Jaffer also wants Arshdeep Singh to play in the next two games even though he is not part of the squad, “Given a choice, Arshdeep plays the next game and (Jasprit) Bumrah can take rest. Bumrah comes back anyway. What we’ve seen of Arshdeep, I would have given him another game,” Jaffer added.
Jaffer also praised Pandya, “The IPL was an eye-opener – the way he batted at No.4 and the way he bowled. And it just keeps on continuing. We all know that when Hardik Pandya is fit to bowl, he walks into the side. The question was only about his bowling.
“If he plays like this, he’s a certainty. I feel he needs to be vice-captain as well. “Hardik batted beautifully. He took on the bowlers at the right time. He’s a very smart bowler. He hit that deck hard and bowled that channel which is hard to hit and surprised the best of the batters from England. He just bossed the game totally.”
India might have a few tough calls to make ahead of the 2nd game as senior players are returning to the side.
