New Zealand vs India 2022

Former Indian Cricketer claims Rishabh Pant is irreplaceable in ODIs, suggests changes for 2nd ODI

India and New Zealand will play the second match of the three-march ODI series on Sunday.

Nov 26, 2022 4:39 pm

Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav (Source – Twitter)

After a humiliating loss against New Zealand by 7 wickets in the first ODI, India will look to think about some changes in the squad as the Shikhar Dhawan-led side was unable to defend a total of 306 and managed to dismiss only three kiwi batters at Eden Park, Auckland. An unbeaten knock of 145 by left-hander Tom Latham and a classy knock of 94 not out from the captain Kane Williamson drove New Zealand to a comprehensive victory over India by 7 wickets.

There are some expectations that the Indian team management will be making some changes in the squad in order to level the series by 1-1 as the second match will be a do-or-die for India. The changes might take in the bowling department mostly as the bowlers were disappointing on Friday.

Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer thinks that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is irreplaceable for the second match against the kiwis in Hamilton on Sunday as Pant has a better record in ODIs. The youngster has scored 326 runs at an average of 40.75 in the 9 innings he played in 2022.

“Deepak Hooda is indeed a tempting option, but I don’t think he would replace Rishabh Pant who is irreplaceable, especially in this format,” Jaffer told to CricInfo.

Wasim Jaffer backed Deepak Chahar and Kuldeep Yadav

Jaffer said that Deepak Chahar might replace Arshdeep Singh as he provides depth in the batting line-up and can swing the ball in the powerplay. The 44-year-old also backed Kuldeep Yadav to replace Yuzvendra Chahal in the second ODI.

“We may see Kuldeep Yadav playing in place of Yuzvendra Chahal. I think the Chinaman bowler brings more mystery to the table. Also, maybe Arshdeep get replaced by Deepak Chahar because then you will have depth in the batting. Chahar can swing the ball and since he adds strength to batting, the top-order batters can play more fearlessly,” Jaffer said.

Notably, Kuldeep Yadav was also included in the T20I series against the Blackcaps but didn’t get the chance to play. So he will be gunning for an opportunity in the next match. Meanwhile, the Kane Williamson-led side will look to seal the series by 2-0.