"India have to address it, it's a cause for concern"- Ex-IND Star points out India's biggest concern ahead of 2nd ODI vs SL
Apart from a few hiccups, it was a clinical performance from Team India in the first game. India made a massive score of 373/3 in the first inning, which saw a brilliant 80-ball century from the former Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
He scored 113 runs off 87 balls with 13 fours and one six, registering his 73rd international ton. Apart from him, skipper Rohit Sharma also played well for his 67-ball 83, and Gill also played a good inning of 70 runs off 60 balls. Umran Malik took three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj took two wickets with the ball.
However, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer warns the Indian team ahead of the second game and points out the areas that Rohit and co. need to address to get better results. In an interview on ESPN Cricinfo, Jaffer said that India having four bowlers in the playing XI who can't bat is a major concern going forward.
The former opener highlighted that Shami or Siraj came out to bat at No. 8, which can be an issue for the team. In the first game, the Indian team was on course for a big total of over 400 runs but lost a few wickets in the last overs and added only 17 runs in the last three overs.
Jaffer said, "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 No. 8, it's worrying how India can chase it. It's a grey area India work on, four bowlers who can't bat at all is concerning."
Furthermore, Jaffer stated that the think tank needs to address this issue, and they should either go for two pacers and Hardik Pandya or add all-rounders like Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur because there is no batter after No. 7.
Notably, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka was the lone survivor for the visitors. He scored an unbeaten century and made 108 runs off 88 balls, but couldn't win it for his team. Jaffer lauded the Sri Lankan skipper and said Shanaka saved his team from a big defeat, and if any top-order batter had scored big runs, then things could've been different.