Wasim Jaffer suggests change in Indian playing XI for second T20I against West Indies

New Delhi: In a recent development, former cricketer Wasim Jaffer has expressed concern over Ishan Kishan’s T20 International form and called on the Indian team management to make a change in their playing XI for the second T20I against West Indies, scheduled to take place on Sunday evening.

Jaffer believes that Yashasvi Jaiswal should replace Ishan Kishan in the opening slot. The Mumbai Indian batter has struggled to perform well in the T20I format, having scored low runs in the last 15 innings and displaying a below-par strike rate.

In the first T20I, Kishan could only manage to score six runs off nine balls, contributing to India’s four-run loss against the West Indies.

“I want to see Yashasvi Jaiswal. He should play as an opening batter. I want to see Jaiswal in place of Ishan Kishan. Ishan Kishan’s T20I form worries me. In the last 15 innings, he hasn’t even scored a 40, and the strike rate is also too low. So, that’s a cause of concern, but he was in good form in ODIs. It’s a different format (T20I). He also had an ordinary IPL season,” Jaffer expressed his concerns to ESPNCricinfo.

Jaffer further highlighted Jaiswal’s impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was honored with the emerging player award. According to him, this accomplishment should be reason enough to give the young talent an opportunity in the national team.

“Why not give an opportunity to the boy who played very well in the IPL? He won the emerging player award and is confident. I’ll definitely look towards that change. The first T20I was played on a difficult pitch, so expecting them (Kishan and Shubman Gill) to play in that fashion (free-flowing mode) is too much expectation. It’s crucial to see the pitch for the second T20I. If it’s good enough, then our batters will obviously play well,” Jaffer explained.