Wasim Jaffer, former India batter, has sharply dissected India's recent T20I setback against West Indies. He emphasised that the existing pattern of having only seven principal batters in the playing XI is an ill-fitted approach for the impending 2024 T20 World Cup.
Jaffer expressed reservations about the apparent vulnerability in India's lower order, from No. 8 to No. 11, terming it incongruent with contemporary T20I norms.
In a critical showdown on Sunday in Florida, India, batting first, posted a lackluster 165/9. West Indies swiftly overhauled this target, achieving it in just 18 overs, thus sealing the series 2-3.
Jaffer, analyzing the match on ESPNcricinfo, critiqued India's over-reliance on its top-order batsmen, particularly given the early dismissals of promising talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. He pinpointed the palpable deficiency in the team's tail-enders' ability to strike boundaries and sixes, stating, "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 two to three wickets, the guys coming in can't play freely. It adds a lot of pressure."
"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," he added.
Jaffer's primary contention lies in the immense pressure shouldered by the top seven to last the majority of the innings. He advocated for a deeper batting order, extending to No. 8 or even No. 9. He highlighted the urgent need for enhancement in the batting prowess of players like Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, and Kuldeep Yadav. Drawing parallels, he cited the noteworthy enhancements made by Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan over their careers, illustrating that progress is feasible with dedication.
Jaffer firmly articulated, "The top seven has to bat the bulk of the overs. Sometimes, when you go with that mindset, it doesn't help you. India need 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."
He further elucidated, "Arshdeep (Singh) at least contributed something in this series, but Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar or even Kuldeep Yadav, those guys need to improve their batting. Harbhajan Singh or Irfan Pathan were similar when they entered international cricket, but they batted for hours and hours and improved their batting."
As the Indian cricket team gears up for their next T20I series in Ireland, all eyes will be on the influential Jasprit Bumrah's return, and whether it catalyzes a transformation in the Indian batting lineup.
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