IND vs NZ: "I Don't Think Umran Malik Will Play The Second ODI As Well": Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian hitter, emphasized the significance of Shardul Thakur’s inclusion in the starting XI to improve the batting depth of the team.

Although successful, the introduction of the whole speed three of Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umran Malik has significantly reduced the starting XI’s depth of batting.

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Malik has had a successful home season thus far, taking wickets frequently in the middle overs with his sheer pace, albeit going for too many runs occasionally. Thakur had to replace Malik in the opening ODI against New Zealand.

Wasim Jaffer claimed on ESPNcricinfo that Thakur’s availability as a No. 8 batting option is essential to the team’s balance: “I don’t think Umran Malik will play the second ODI as well. Even if he does play, he will not be replacing Shardul Thakur. Shardul Thakur’s presence, in my opinion, is critical because having a batting option at No.8 is critical.”

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“Shardul bowled superbly in the last match, taking Allen’s wicket and bowling the yorker towards the finish. As a result, he has the capacity to take wickets. He may go for runs, but he also gets wickets and can score runs” Wasim Jaffer Added.

“I think that India’s third seamer should be an all-rounder”: Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer believes that India should find a method to accommodate as many all-rounders as possible, even suggesting that Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja play in the same playing XI when both are available.

“Such bowling all-rounders, whether pacers or spinners are desperately needed in India. We saw the same thing with the New Zealand team. When the batting is shallow, no match or situation is thought unachievable” Wasim Jaffer said.

“This is a World Cup year and I think that India’s third seamer should be an all-rounder. Even with the spinners actually, I don’t think playing both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja would be a bad idea at all” Wasim Jaffer Added.

On Saturday, January 21, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur will host the second One-Day International between India and New Zealand.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: “It Was An Extremely Important Moment When He Picked Up Two Wickets In An Over”: Mohammad Kaif Hails Mohammed Siraj

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