'Could have used two more overs of Deepak Hooda' - Wasim Jaffer analyses India's performance after defeat in 1st T20I

India faced a 21-run defeat against New Zealand in the first T20I at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Friday, January 27. The Men in Blue failed to chase the 177-run target set by the Kiwis as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the series. While there were several talking points about the match, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer opined that skipper Hardik Pandya could have made better use of all-rounder Deepak Hooda in the game.

After losing the toss and being put to bat first, New Zealand produced a respectable 176/6. The hosts were subsequently silenced by the Kiwi spinners as Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell registered figures of 2/11 and 2/31 respectively. Thanks to their efforts, the Men in Blue were restricted to 155/9.

Speaking of India’s performance after the match, Jaffer stated that Pandya could have put the spinners to better use in the game.

“India probably could have used two more overs of Deepak Hooda, given the kind of spin the other bowlers were getting. Even Kuldeep Yadav bowled really well, and Washington Sundar. All the spinners from both sides did really well. So, India could have used a spinner little bit more. Fast bowlers were far too expensive,” Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.

New Zealand did outplay India in every department: Jaffer

India’s bowling unit looked a little weak. Kuldeep Yadav made an impression with 1/20, outperforming off-spinner Sundar, who had figures of 2/22 from his four overs. Hooda bowled two overs while conceding 14 runs, without taking a wicket.

But the Indian pacers gave away runs in hefty, especially Arshdeep Singh who conceded 51 runs in his four-over spell, including 27 in the final over of the innings. While Hardik Pandya bowled three overs, Shivam Mavi bowled two overs and Umran Malik bowled just one over. Analysing India’s strategies further, Jaffer added:

“Probably, India would have thought batting conditions might get easier in the second half with the dew around, but there wasn’t much dew. The ball spun so much, they (India) wouldn’t have expected that. Overall, New Zealand did outplay India in every department.”

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