IND vs WI: We Need To Give Ishan Kishan Another Game, No Point Giving Ruturaj Gaikwad One Game: Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer feels India should give Ishan Kishan one more chance in the third T20I match against West Indies.

The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter once again struggled to score runs in the three-match T20I series. After his 42-ball 35 in the first match, Ishan could manage just two runs from 10 balls at the Eden Gardens on Friday.

Sheldon Cottrell dismisses Ishan Kishan early in the match

Ishan found a thick leading edge while attempting to play a Sheldon Cottrell length delivery only for Kyle Mayers to pouch a catch at the backward point.

We need to give Ishan Kishan another game: Wasim Jaffer

Despite getting poor returns with the bat, Jaffer wants India to play Ishan Kishan for one more game rather than replacing him with someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad who has been warming the bench for a considerable amount of time. Jaffer believes that Ruturaj could be played in the Sri Lanka T20I series and be given a long run in the game.

“We need to give Ishan Kishan another game and play him in the third T20I. Then we must think about giving Ruturaj (Gaikwad) a chance in the Sri Lanka series. He should be given a longer rope, maybe a series. No point giving Ruturaj one game. It makes sense to have continuity with players so they know that they are going to play the full series,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.

India eked out West Indies in an eight-run win in the second T20I match on Friday as the Rohit Sharma-led side clinched the T20I series with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

India posted 186/5 in the first innings after Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant, who failed to score runs in the first match, returned with brisk half-centuries.

Pant remained unbeaten on 52 from 28 balls and was involved in a partnership of 76 runs from 35 balls with Venkatesh Iyer who made 33 off 18 balls.

Despite ferocious batting by Nicholas Pooran (62) and Rovman Powell (68) throughout the innings, the visitors fell short of the target after Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a brilliant penultimate over, conceding just four runs to turn the tables.

Also Read: IND vs WI: Watch: Ishan Kishan Departs A Ball After He Survives A Close Call In 2nd T20I