Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has rubbished criticism over the Indian team selection for the second Test against South Africa in Centurion, saying the team management should be respected for its decisions and scrutiny should only take place at the end of the series. (IND v SA 2nd Test, Day 2 HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD)
Virat Kohli-led India copped a lot of flak from former cricketers after they decided to keep Ajinkya Rahane out of the playing XI and dropped first Test hero Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the must-win second Test.
“You got to leave those decisions to the captain and the coaches. They are very experienced players and they won’t do any selection to harm the side. They know what they are doing; they are answerable to the team as well as the whole nation. You got to leave it till the end of the series to ask questions,” Jaffer told reporters on Sunday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the upcoming Mumbai Masters Premier T20 League 2018 jersey launch, Jaffer said India were unlucky to have gotten a tough pitch during the first Test in Cape Town.
“I think we were a little unfortunate (with) the kind of wicket we got. I don’t think we were outplayed; it’s just that probably one good innings would have made us go top in the series. But you have to give it to the South African bowlers as well. It was a very testing wicket, even their batsmen failed. They play on these kinds of wickets all the time. It is not that we have lost very handsomely. We came very close and we were in the game all the while,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“I think we were a little unfortunate (with) the kind of wicket we got. I don’t think we were outplayed; it’s just that probably one good innings would have made us go top in the series. But you have to give it to the South African bowlers as well. It was a very testing wicket, even their batsmen failed. They play on these kinds of wickets all the time. It is not that we have lost very handsomely. We came very close and we were in the game all the while,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Jaffer is hopeful of a strong Indian comeback in the ongoing second Test, which India must win to keep the three-match series alive.
“We are in a very strong position. We made a very good comeback on the first day evening when (Hashim) Amla got run out and we got six wickets. We have bowled them out, now we need to bat really well. This wicket will suit our batsmen,” he said.
“Most of them have played in South Africa. They have been there and (in) other countries like Australia, England and New Zealand; they know what to do. They just need time in the middle. I think if we get 500 plus in this innings, I see India levelling the series,” Jaffer added.