Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer questioned Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batting order after their eight-run loss against Chennai Super Kings at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Monday. Jaffer feels Mahipal Lomror should bat down the order for RCB at either five or six as he doesn’t even play for his state team, Rajasthan at one down.
In fact, Lomror had batted for Rajasthan Royals at either five or six. The left-hander was dismissed for a duck when RCB was chasing a gigantic total of 227 runs against CSK. In fact, the southpaw was also dropped by Maheesh Theekshana at mid-off but could not make the most of his second chance.
Jaffer feels the pressure will pile on Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell if the number three batter doesn’t contribute.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer said: “Mahipal Lomror doesn’t bat at No.3 even for his state team. It’s far too up for his standard. They are definitely missing Rajat Patdiar and it puts a lot of pressure on Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell to come good. If they don’t come good and if they don’t bat deep, they are in trouble.
The former domestic giant suggested that Suyash Prabhudessai can bat at number three as he bats in the top order for Goa.
“Suyash Prabhudessai bats for Goa at the top of the order. He is probably one of those guys who can bat at three, and then Lomrom actually bats at five, six and seven for Rajasthan. He can come down. Even for Rajasthan Royals, he has batted at five or six.
“Anuj Rawat can also strike. But all they’ve got are Indian guys who haven’t done the job yet. But I feel Suyash Prabhudessai is better off batting at three rather than six or seven.”
Jaffer feels Dinesh Karthik, who was amazing for RCB in the previous season, should have finished the game for the team. Karthik scored 28 runs from 14 balls but was dismissed on a short ball.
“Dinesh Karthik needed to finish this game because there’s not much power or experience in that lower half. That’s where I feel they kind of felt light today because, looking at the CSK bowling attack, they didn’t have experience and everyone is pretty new.
“If you don’t do it against this bowling attack and this ground, it’s going to be difficult. Dinesh Karthik was the guy.”
RCB will next take on Punjab Kings on Thursday at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.
