Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has opined that it won’t be a great move to play Ruturaj Gaikwad in the dead rubber against West Indies on Sunday. He also claimed that it would be better if Ishan Kishan plays the third T20I also against West Indies and Gaikwad gets an opportunity during the entire T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Gaikwad was part of the ODI squad in South Africa and was picked in both the limited-overs series for the ongoing home series against West Indies. The Chennai Super Kings star failed to find a place in the playing XI in the ongoing T20I series against West Indies as well.
“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.
When he was asked whether Kishan’s failure in the first two T20Is is a cause for concern, the veteran replied that he did not think so.
“We need to be patient with Ishan Kishan. We all know that he is a quality player. He has got the fifties on T20I and ODI debuts and has such a fine IPL record for Mumbai Indians. But he has just been bought for ₹15 crores, which plays on players’ minds. And, it wasn’t easy straightaway. The ball was swinging a little. Even Rohit (Sharma) scored at almost a run-a-ball for his 19. We need to leave him alone. Once he gets going, he’ll be fine," opined the former Indian cricketer.
That said, the youngster from Mumbai Indians was dismissed for 35 off 42 in the first T20I and disappointed in the second T20I as well. Following his early dismissal, Virat Kohli came in and played a stunning fifty.
“Kohli looked in sublime form. The wicket was good to bat on and he came out like he was already set. Kieron Pollard played with his mind by having a short leg. I don’t know why, but Kohli responded really well. Even though he hasn’t got hundreds in 50-overs and Test cricket, he is in fine form in T20Is. If he keeps batting like this, I don’t think the magic three-figure mark is too far way," Jaffer concl