IND vs SA: Wasim Jaffer Feels Ruturaj Gaikwad Can Book His Place In T20 World Cup Squad As India Lack KL Rahul's Replacement

Published - 13 Jun 2022, 06:30 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:08 AM

Wasim Jaffer. Photo- Twitter

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has opined that the young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad can still cement his place in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad as India still don’t have a replacement for KL Rahul.

Gaikwad got the opportunity to open the innings with Ishan Kishan after KL Rahul got ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa. So far he has failed to impress as in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi he scored 23 runs off 15 balls and in the second T20I at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack he scored just 1-run.

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Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer said that Gaikwad played a good knock in Delhi and he sees the young opener getting a chance in upcoming games. He also mentioned that there is no third opener in the Indian team, which makes Gaikwad’s case strong for a spot in the World Cup team. He said:

“No, I don’t think so. It’s just been two innings. He played a really good innings in Delhi. It wasn’t a big knock but still a very attractive one. And I see him getting opportunities in the future as well because there’s no third opener in this team. No replacement has been made [for KL Rahul]. So there’s a chance he’ll get another opportunity and if he plays a big innings, he can surely be a candidate [for India’s T20 World Cup squad].”

Wasim Jaffer Gives His Opinion On Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s T20 World Cup Chances

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was in sensational form in the second T20I against South Africa. He dismissed Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius and Rassie van der Dussen in the powerplay and in the backend of the innings he dismissed Wayne Parnell. Bhuvneshwar finished with 4 wickets in his bag and he gave away just 13 runs in his 4-over quota.

While talking about Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s World Cup chances, Jaffer said that the pacer has booked his place in the World Cup team. He said:

“Yes, there are no two ways about it. We’ve been seeing this [form] from the IPL. Especially with the World Cup being in Australia, India will need an experienced bowler capable of taking wickets with the new ball.”