India faced New Zealand at Ranchi in the first T20. The pitch offered a lot of turn as the New Zealand batters used 11 overs of spin to restrict the flow of runs. Former Indian Opener Wasim Jaffer feels that India could have used 2 more overs of Deepak Hooda as the pitch was assisting the spinners.
New Zealand put a competitive total on the board with 176 runs. Things were looking under control for India with the ball until the last over. But Arshdeep conceded 27 runs in the last over to help New Zealand finish strong.
The fast bowlers were expensive in the match but the spinners were very economical. Kuldeep Yadav bowled 1/20 in his 4 overs while Washington Sundar picked up 2 wickets in his 4 overs conceding just 22 runs. Hooda went for 14 runs in his 2 overs as Jaffer felt Pandya could have persisted with another couple of overs of Deepak Hooda.
Jaffer talks about Hooda
“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 a little bit more. Fast bowlers were far too expensive,” Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.
Jaffer said that the New Zealand team outplayed India in all departments.
“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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