IND vs SL: Wasim Jaffer talks about India's areas of concern after first ODI

After India's crucial 67-run win in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, the former cricketer Wasim Jaffer said that four bowlers who can not bat at all is a concern for the Men in Blue. Indian team scored a mammoth total of 373/7 while batting first in Guwahati but at one stage it looked like the hosts will cross the 400-run mark easily.

But, India managed to score only 17 runs off the last three overs with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj batting. Jaffer added that Shami coming to bat at the number eight position is a concern for India and they need to address this. 

“We saw Mohammed Shami coming at number eight and it's concerning for me. Although India made 370 runs, they managed only 17 runs in the last three overs as Shami and Mohammed Siraj were batting. It's an area of concern, especially during a run-chase when they lose wickets and need runs at 8-10 per over. If Shami comes at number eight, it's worrying how India can chase it,” Jaffer said while speaking with ESPNcricinfo.

It's a grey area India must work: Wasim Jaffer

The Indian management went with three specialist pace options in form of Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik, and Mohammed Siraj, and a leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the first ODI. All these four bowlers offer very little with the bat and Jaffer feels that India need to assess whether they can go with only two specialist seamers plus Hardik Pandya or play more all-rounders like Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur.

"Moving forward, India have to address it and assess whether they can go with two seamers plus Hardik Pandya or afford to play all-rounders like Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur, as there are no batters after number seven. It's a grey area India must work on although it's a royalty from a bowling perspective as three fast bowlers can bowl above 140. You also have a leg-spinner, but four bowlers who cannot bat at all is concerning," Jaffer added.

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