Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has given his views on the current strategy of team India in the upcoming T20I World Cup to be played in 2024. Jaffer said that Team India should reconsider their strategy of having seven batsmen in the playing XI for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Jaffer feels that the team should avoid having a weak tail from positions No. 8 to No. 11 as it doesn’t suit the standards of T20I cricket.
In the final T20I match held in Florida on Sunday, August 13, India was defeated by eight-wickets against West Indies which resulted in a 2-3 series loss. Despite winning the toss and opting to bat, the Indian team posted a mediocre score of 165/9. West Indies comfortably chased down in 18 overs with eight wickets in hand.
While having a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Jaffer raised questions on India’s seven batters theory.
Jaffer said,”Losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill within that powerplay, that was a big setback. We all know that India only bats till No. 7. The last four don’t contribute much at all. They don’t have that boundary-hitting or six-hitting ability. When you lose 2-3 wickets, the guys coming in can’t play freely. It adds a lot of pressure.”
He further added,”If we are five down, the tail starts coming. That’s exactly what has happened in the games that we have lost. That is a big concern for India. The batting hasn’t clicked. Suryakumar Yadav played well, but nobody else chipped in,” Jaffer added.”
He said that if a team goes with seven batters, it creates a pressure when they get a poor start.
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“The top seven has to bat the bulk of the overs. Sometimes, when you go with that mindset, it doesn’t help you. India needs to address this issue. Within 10 months’ time, India will be playing the World Cup here. This can’t be the template. Our batting needs to come till at least No. 8, possibly No. 9 – somebody who can tonk the ball,” the former opener stated.
