India beat West Indies in the first ODI by five wickets in Barbados and it was a comfortable win for India to take a lead of 1-0 in the three-match series. However, some fans and cricket experts were left puzzled by the tactics and decisions made by captain Rohit Sharma during the match. Two prime specific concerns were the non-selection of Sanju Samson and Axar Patel and the decision to bat second especially if the primary goal was to provide batters with more time in the middle.
The omission of Sanju Samson and Axar Patel from the playing XI raised eyebrows of many experts as both players have shown good form in recent times and were expected to make valuable contributions to the team. The reasons behind their non-selection were not clear to many fans.
Jaffer said that he was surprised to see Ishan Kishan in the playing XI as he plays as an opener in white-ball cricket. He further assumes that management might be thinking Kishan to be as a backup in the upcoming ODI World Cup.
The former Indian batter said,”I thought they’re looking at Ishan Kishan as a backup opener, as well as obviously the backup keeper, and then Sanju probably would bat in the middle order. I thought he’ll get an opportunity first, so that’s surprising.”
Jaffer also asked about the third opener apart from skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. He stated,”Who is that third opener? Probably Ruturaj Gaikwad but I don’t know who, because Ruturaj has been picked in the Asian Games. Again, I don’t know who that third opener is.”
Jaffer also shared his disappointment at not seeing Axar Patel in the playing XI as Patel has performed brilliantly for team India as well as for Delhi Capitals in IPL in last year.
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“I am a little surprised not seeing Sanju there, and I’m surprised at not seeing Axar Patel there, because I thought when Ravindra Jadeja wasn’t available, he was really brilliant, with the ball and bat. I feel going forward, India need to think about playing three spinners, because Jadeja and Axar can bat at 7 and 8, so I’m a little surprised, but I expected this,” he concluded.
