“Didn't score as many as he should have” - Wasim Jaffer's huge remark on India middle-order batter after NZ vs IND 2026 T20I series
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer has opined that skipper Shreyas Iyer batted well but didn't score as many runs as he should have during the T20I series against New Zealand.
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer has opined that skipper Shreyas Iyer batted well but didn't score as many runs as he should have during the T20I series against New Zealand. The fifth and final contest was played in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1.
Chasing 192, the hosts won the game by seven wickets with two overs remaining. Despite the defeat, India clinched the series 3-2. In five games, Iyer scored 126 runs, averaging 25.20 at a strike rate of 151.80, including one half-century.
Speaking about the 31-year-old's performance during a discussion on his YouTube channel, Jaffer remarked:
“I thought Shreyas Iyer also batted really well. He was a little off-colour in T20Is, but I think he managed to score some runs in this series. Even though he didn't score as many as he should have, I still feel that, as a captain, he contributed with the bat.”
Jaffer further highlighted that India often puts up below-par totals when the top order fails to click. He also noted that there had been questions over Abhishek Sharma's ability to perform outside India, but the opener had successfully addressed those doubts. He said:
“When our top order doesn't click, it feels like we are always putting up below-par totals. This shows how important it is for Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to perform. Abhishek Sharma is there. There was a bit of a question mark over whether he could perform equally well outside India. I think Abhishek has ticked that box completely.”
The southpaw finished as India's leading run-scorer in the series, amassing 197 runs in five innings at an average of 39.40 and a strike rate of 223.86, including a century.
“Looked a little off-colour” - Wasim Jaffer's blunt assessment of India pacer
During the same discussion, Wasim Jaffer remarked that Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked a little off-colour and lacked his usual pace. Wasim Jaffer said:
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked a little off-colour, which is a bit of a concern. He also didn't seem to have the same pace. But knowing Bhuvi, I think he will up his game. You know, he is a very good performer.”
The veteran managed just one wicket in four outings, conceding runs at an economy rate of 11.25.
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