Wasim Jaffer On Top-Order Failures: Virat Kohli ‘Struggles,’ Shikhar Dhawan ‘Rusty,’ Rohit Sharma ‘Not Consistent. The trio of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan. Virat Kohli contributed 25 runs to the total in the second ODI against England, and 35 runs in the third game.
India won the one-day international series against England 2-1 on Sunday. The Rohit Sharma-led side defeated England by five wickets in the third and final game of the tour. At one point, India was trailing by 72 runs, but a solid partnership between Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant helped the visitors win the game. After the game, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer highlighted the failures of India’s top-order. The trio of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli contributed 25 runs to the total in the second ODI against England, and 35 runs in the third game.
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Wasim Jaffer On Top-Order Failures
“India has always performed well when the top three batsmen have scored runs. Which has not occurred in the last two ODIs. That is something they should investigate. We all know Virat (Kohli) is struggling right now, Shikhar Dhawan is looking rusty. Rohit Sharma isn’t as consistent as we’d like him to be “Jaffer stated this during an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
While India was bowled out for 146 in the second ODI while chasing a target of 247 runs. Pant and Hardik saved India’s blushes in the final game. Pant hit an unbeaten 125, while Hardik hit 71 off 55 balls. The pair combined for 133 runs for the fifth wicket. Assisting the visitors in chasing down 260 runs in 42.1 overs.
“That is a concern (top-order failure), but if numbers five, six, and seven continue to perform like this. I think it will make Rohit Sharma happy more than anything,” Jaffer added.
“India should consider the eighth position. Shardul Thakur or Deepak Chahar… are the two people India should be looking at because if Hardik (Pandya) bowls like this, it gives them (India) an opportunity to play an all-rounder there (number eight position) “he added
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