IND vs WI: Wasim Jaffer criticises Shubman Gill with Yashasvi Jaiswal comparison

Add as a preferred source on Google

Ahead of the fourth T20I match between India and West Indies in Lauderhill, Florida, Wasim Jaffer has said that it would be important for the Men in Blue to get a good start from the openers.

The opening pair of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan partnered for 5 and 16 runs respectively. Gill came out to open with debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal in the third T20I but they could forge only a 6-run partnership.

The former opener said that a good opening partnership would give the perfect platform for players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma to launch themselves.

Jaffer has especially raised concerns over Shubman Gill's strike rate at the start of the innings. He said that right-handers are a bit "too defensive". The first three T20I matches have seen the Punjab batter score 16 runs at a strike rate of 55.17. Jaffer said Gill needs to take a leaf out of Yashasvi Jaiswal's book.

"We have spoken about how important it is for the openers to get off to a good start in the powerplay and give players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma a good platform. But they won't be worried about it as they will know they need to show intent straightaway," he said.

"Jaiswal will bat with aggressive intent and I feel Shubman Gill is being a bit too defensive. If he gets 2-3 good shots straight away then that could make a huge difference," he further added.

India are trailing 1-2 in the 5-match series and will have the chance of making it 2-2 with a win in the crucial fourth T20I.