On Tuesday, the Indian squad began the new year with a two-run victory against Sri Lanka in the inaugural T20I encounter at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai (January 3). Sri Lankan spinners played superb periods to limit India to 162/5, and their hitters came dangerously near to putting their team home. As a consequence, the hosts had their work cut out for them in protecting the target, which they did in a last-over thriller.
Shivam Mavi had four wickets in his international debut, while Umran Malik and Harshal Patel each had two. However, the Indian spin combo of Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal battled for wickets and proved financially inept. Chahal, India’s primary spinner, surrendered 26 runs in his two-over period, while Axar allowed 31 runs at a 10.33 economy rate.
Axar bowled the last over, ahead of Chahal and Hardik Pandya, when the Indian side was defending 12 runs, which astonished many, including veteran cricketer Wasim Jaffer. He said that Chahal’s bowling was subpar, forcing Axar to throw the last over.
“Chahal had a really average game, which was disappointing. The spinners each bowled two overs. And Axar had to bowl his third and last over. That is something I will be concerned about in the future. “In most situations, your two spinners should bowl at least seven overs, if not eight,” Wasim Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.
Hardik, India’s sixth bowling option, bowled three overs while allowing 12 runs and was outstanding with his economical performance. Jaffer emphasised the need of Hardik bowling his entire quota as India prepares for the 2023 one-day World Cup, which may require the all-rounder to bowl more overs.
“Hardik must bowl. This is another source of worry. He takes rest only when India can afford it. However, since it is the World Cup, India may play with three seamers at times, and he may have to bowl 8-10 overs in the game,” Jaffer remarked.
