Axar has been in top-notch form with both bat and ball in both the T20Is in the series, scoring 31 (20) and 65 (31) to rescue India from trouble. The 28-year-old’s left-arm spin accounted for two crucial wickets in the second T20I as he returned with respectable figures of 4-0-24-2 in a high-scoring game.
Speaking on ESPN Cricinfo’s Timeout, Jaffer reckons Axar should bat in the same position or else the team management risk breaking his rhythm and that the top-order batters must improve. He said:
Speaking on the track in Rajkot, the 44-year-old believes India will once again field first and expects another high-scoring game. Jaffer continued:
The first T20I in Mumbai wasn’t a high-scoring contest as Sri Lanka lost by two runs while chasing 163. The second game saw the tourists pile on 207, with the hosts falling 16 runs short despite their best efforts.
“I wouldn’t say Sri Lanka has the momentum” - Wasim Jaffer
When asked whether Dasun Shanaka and Co. would start the third T20I as the favorites, Jaffer stated that India almost won in Pune despite plenty of mistakes. However, the 31-Test veteran wants the top-order batters to step up, adding:
It remains to be seen whether both teams will make any changes for the third and final T20I in Rajkot.
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