Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer reckons Hardik Pandya’s batting in the T20I series against West Indies was a big concern for the team. Pandya trudged to 14 runs off 18 balls in the deciding game of the series in Florida on Sunday and failed to provide impetus in the middle overs.
Ergo, India could only manage 165 runs on the board after electing to bat first. The Indian skipper could not lead from the front with the bat in the five-match series as he could only manage 77 runs in four innings at an average of 25.67 and a subdued strike rate of 110.
Furthermore, Pandya took four wickets in the series at an average of 31.50. This was India’s first five-match T20I series loss against the West Indies. Moreover, it is also Hardik Pandya’s first series loss as a T20I skipper after West Indies won the final game by eight wickets.
Wasim Jaffer said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Well, it has been a concern. He looks little rusty. We can’t say that the free-flowing Hardik Pandya comes in and strikes it sweetly. Doesn’t mean hitting sixes but striking it nicely, rotating the strike. Apart from the fifty he scored in the 3rd ODI, where also he started very very slowly, and picked it up in the slog overs. But even then he looked a little rusty.”
“That’s a concern for me. Looking at how Hardik Pandya batted in the series, that was a big concern. Not every time he is going to start slowly, and he is going to finish strongly. We could see this during this series as well. As soon as he comes, the momentum drops down, the strike rate comes down, and puts pressure on the other guys and the dugout as well. Something for him to worry about, take note, and improve,” said Jaffer.
In fact, Pandya also admitted they could not capitalize when he came to the crease in the final game of the series.
He said after the loss, “We lost the momentum when I came in and couldn’t capitalize on the situation.”
Brandon King scored an unbeaten 85 whereas Nicholas Pooran scored 47 to take their team home in the run-chase.
India will now take on Ireland in three-match T20I series, in which Jasprit Bumrah will hold the captaincy reins.
