Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer heaped praise on India’s aggressive batting approach in the first T20I against England at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton on Thursday. Jaffer believes this positive intent was missing in the previous T20 World Cup.
India played with an attacking approach against England in the first T20I as Rohit Sharma took the attack against the opposition from the get-go. The Indian skipper, who was returning to the team after recovering from Covid-19, scored a fine little cameo of 24 runs off just 14 balls to give a perfect start to his team.
Deepak Hooda then also came up with an aggressive approach and India scored 66-2 in the PowerPlay overs. Hooda scored 33 runs from 17 balls whereas Suryakumar Yadav added 39 runs from only 19 balls.
Indian batters kept playing aggressively and they didn’t veer off the track despite losing a couple of wickets. The visitors had a clear plan to play aggressively and they were able to execute their skills to perfection. Hardik Pandya also scored a fine knock of 51 runs off just 33 balls as the all-rounder continued his great form.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Wasim Jaffer said: “You’ve got to like the way they accelerated and the momentum they batted with. This was missing in the last T20 World Cup all the time. They are going with that aggressive approach, which is very refreshing to see.”
Jaffer wants Virat Kohli and KL Rahul to adopt the same approach when they return to the playing XI. Kohli is expected to replace Hooda in the playing XI in the next game.
“The big guys who are missing, KL Rahul (after recovering from injury) and Virat, are going to come back. But India will be happy that they have got the guys to back them up. However, the approach needs to be similar.”
“This is the brand of cricket they need to play if they want to dominate this format. This is something we would like to see from the main guys as well.”
On the other hand, Virat Kohli is not in the best of forms and Jaffer reckons Hooda’s performance will put some pressure on the former Indian captain.
“Hooda’s performance will put pressure on Virat Kohli when he comes back. You’ve got a guy who has done so well, performed consistently in the IPL and the T20Is as well. The pressure might bring out the best of Virat Kohli.”
The second T20I will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Saturday.
