Wasim Jaffer, a former opening batsman, has praised Ishan Kishan, a keeper-batsman for Team India, for his outstanding batting performances in India’s just-completed three-match ODI series against the West Indies.
Jaffer, on the other hand, felt that Kishan missed opportunities to score significant runs throughout the series. He advised the southpaw to follow the lead of veteran batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli moving forward in order to turn his starts into hundreds.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, the former cricketer turned specialist said:
“With final scores of 52, 55, and 77, Kishan excelled with the bat in all three games. He was the leading run-getter with 184 runs at an average of 61.33, contributing significantly to the Men in Blue’s 2-1 series victory.”
Jaffer added that Shubman Gill, the third ODI’s opening batsman, has a potential to score a tonne as well. He said that although the batter appeared to be in good shape at the crease, he slowed down a little bit towards the end of his knock, adding:
Shubman Gill appeared calm and prepared to hit a massive hundred. The moment Hardik (Pandya) entered the room, he simply slowed down a bit. During one part of the game, India scored just 11 runs in five overs. Motie bowled exceptionally effectively to him (Gudakesh).
“If not, he might have earned that hundred and possibly even more. Of the men who reached the age of fifty, he was likely the most confident.
Notably, after underwhelming in the first two matches, Gill was under pressure going into the third ODI. He made apologies by scoring an important 85 runs in the decisive match.
Wasim Jaffer on Team India’s ODI lineup: “Batters need to score 120 or 100-plus scores”
Wasim Jaffer added that when India plays a strong opponent in an ODI, hitting large hundreds could be the difference in the game.
The 45-year-old explained why players like Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson were unable to register significant totals in the third ODI:
“receiving 350 was undoubtedly a plus, but if I may be a little harsh, not receiving the hundred (might be one of the minuses) for someone else. Shubman Gill was performing admirably. Ishan Kishan passed up a chance to score 120 or 150. Even Sanju Samson had 17 to 18 overs left when he was done. Batters must reach 120 or 100+ points. Against strong opposition, that turns into a winning strategy.
A T20I series of three games will now pit India and West Indies against one another. On Thursday, August 3, the inaugural match will take place at Tarouba, Trinidad’s Brian Lara Stadium.
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