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Wasim Jaffer blames Hardik Pandya's captaincy blunder for Ranchi defeat


image-ldfe9at7Arshdeep Singh was expensive with the ball [Source: AP]

On Friday, New Zealand stunned India by handing them a 21-run defeat in the first T20I in Ranchi. 

The BlackCaps seemed more prepared than the home team, as they not only posted a challenging total but also choked the Indian batters on a rank turner. 

In the aftermath of India's defeat, former opener Wasim Jaffer opined that skipper Hardik Pandya should have completed Deepak Hooda's four overs, considering the track's conduciveness for the spinners. 

Thus, the legendary Mumbai batter reckoned that using seamers towards the backend of the innings proved costly for the home side. However, he also lauded the visitors for thoroughly outplaying their counterparts. 


Here's what Jaffer said

"India probably could have used two more overs of Deepak Hooda, given the kind of spin the other bowlers were getting. Even Kuldeep Yadav bowled really well, and Washington Sundar. All the spinners from both sides did really well. So, India could have used a spinner little bit more. Fast bowlers were far too expensive,

"Probably, India would have thought batting conditions might get easier in the second half with dew around, but there wasn’t much dew. The ball spun so much, they wouldn’t have expected that. Overall, New Zealand did outplay India in every department."

After losing the first game, India will look to bounce back through a win in the next T20I scheduled on Sunday. 


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