India showed its great bench strength in Kanpur Test: Wasim Jaffer

India were up against New Zealand in the first Test of the two-match series at Green Park Kanpur, where the contest ended in a draw on the final day. Despite not having several senior players on the side, India pulled off a great batting show which was mainly assisted by debutant Shreyas Iyer. Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer also lauded this aspect of the hosts’ side.

Jaffer stated that India didn’t have many of their senior batters and still did a fine job. Iyer was on his debut while Wriddhiman Saha hasn’t played for a long time and that makes a lot of difference. The top order was expected to do a little better but the main job was done by lower middle order players.

“A lot of senior players are resting while A team is playing against South Africa and even then, we put up a great show and that itself says a lot about India’s bench strength. This time the top will be under pressure for different reasons as the main show has been put up by lower middle-order players,” said Jaffer while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

India will walk in as a confident side at Wankhede, Mumbai: Wasim Jaffer

“It is commendable how they fought back when openers were not making runs and Pujara and Rahane were struggling. Though they would have wanted the top order to score, I think they would be happy with the result and India will walk in as a confident side in Mumbai,” he added.

It has to be noted that India were on the verge of the victory in the first game before NZ debutant Rachin Ravindra showed nerves of steel towards the end. He saved the game for visitors on the final day when they were nine wickets down. India’s fine run was assisted by Iyer who smashed a century and a half-century on his debut.

On the other hand, spinners including Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, and Axar Patel had a great run in the first Test match of the series.