Wasim Jaffer, the former batsman of Team India and currently doing commentary, is of the opinion that in the 3-match T20 series against New Zealand (India vs New Zealand T20I Series, 2023) to be played on Sunday, January 29, Umran One batsman should be played in place of Malik (Umran Malik).
Significantly, in the first match of this latest series played in Ranchi (IND vs NZ 1st T20I Match, Ranchi, 2023), New Zealand defeated Team India by 21 runs. Now the second match will be played in Lucknow on Sunday. He has suggested that on Sunday, Team India should replace Umran Malik with another batsman in the playing eleven. Wasim Jaffer said that Jitesh Sharma and Prithvi Shaw could be better options.
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In the first match played in Ranchi, Umran Malik gave away 16 runs in one over. On this, Wasim Jaffer said that Umran Malik will struggle in the T20I format unless he changes his bowling pace. He said that Umran should have bowled a cutter against the Kiwis in the Ranchi match. Wasim said that if you bowl only with pace, there will be chances of giving away more runs on such pitches.
He said in his opinion that it would be better to have Jitesh Sharma or Prithvi Shaw in the next match. Because, they will be able to bat in the lower order.
Significantly, after the defeat in the first match played in Ranchi, Indian captain Hardik Pandya said, “We gave 20 to 25 extra runs in bowling. While me and Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) were batting, we thought we would chase the target. To be honest, we were poor in bowling and gave away 20 to 25 runs more. This is a young team and we will learn from it.
However, what will be the decision of the captain and team management in the second match of this latest series to be played in Lucknow on January 29, will be known only in time. Maybe, keeping in mind the mood of the pitch, decisions will be taken whether the playing XI will remain the same, or some changes will be made.
-Vinay Kumar