IND vs SL: Chahal had a very ordinary game - Wasim Jaffer


image-lcho7076Chahal has been ordinary in recent times [Source: Twitter]

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer expressed disappointment over India's spin bowling department following India's narrow two-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I, stating Yuzvendra Chahal’s effort in the game was ordinary.

Uttar Pradesh pacer Shivam Mavi was the standout performer for Men in Blue, having registered the figures of 4/22, while the Jammu pacer Umran Malik also bagged two wickets while conceding just 27 runs. Meanwhile, both Chahal and Axar Patel went wicketless in the match. 

While Chahal conceded 26 runs in his two overs spell, left-arm spinner Axar Patel went for 31 in three. During an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, Jaffer expressed his concern over the same, saying both spinners need to do well for India going forward.

Here's what Jaffer said:

“Chahal had a very ordinary game and that’s a disappointment. The spinners only bowled two overs each. And Axar had to bowl his third over – the last over. I think that’s a concern going forward. In most conditions, you would want your two spinners to bowl at least seven overs if not eight.” 

Jaffer further added that skipper Hardik Pandya not completing his quota of four overs is also a cause for concern for the Men in Blue. Notably, the Baroda cricketer looked in pain after grabbing a catch and went off the field for some time during the first T20I. 

“Hardik needs to bowl. That’s again a concern. He takes rest as and when India can afford to give him rest. But going forward, because it is the World Cup, sometimes India might play with three seamers and he might have to bowl 8-10 overs in the game."

“He had to complete his quota today (Tuesday). Even going forward, he needs to bowl a lot more. He can be, at times, the third seamer that India needs.”


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