'The top seven has to bat'- Wasim Jaffer believes India cannot only select seven batters in playing XI for T20 World Cup 2024

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes Team India cannot go into the 2024 T20 World Cup with the concept of seven batters in the playing XI. According to the former opener having tailenders from No. 8 to No. 11 is unacceptable by looking at the current T20I standards.

India was defeated by West Indies by eight wickets in the decider in Florida on Sunday, thereby losing the series by a 2-3 margin. The Men in Blue batting first scored 165/9 on a slow wicket. In response, the hosts chased with ease in 18 overs with the courtesy of Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran.

Losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill within that powerplay, was a big setback: Wasim Jaffer

In a post-match discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer punched holes in India’s seven-batter theory for T20Is. He said about Sunday’s loss, "Losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill within that powerplay, that was a big setback. We all know that India only bats till No. 7. The last four don’t contribute much at all. They don’t have that boundary-hitting or six-hitting ability."

"When you lose two to three wickets, the guys coming in can’t play freely. It adds a lot of pressure." "If we are five down, the tail starts coming. That’s exactly what has happened in the games that we have lost. That is a big concern for India. The batting hasn’t clicked. Suryakumar Yadav played well, but nobody else chipped in.”

The 45-year-old batter further stated, "The top seven has to bat the bulk of the overs. Sometimes, when you go with that mindset, it doesn’t help you. India need to address this issue. Within 10 months’ time, India will be playing the World Cup here. This can’t be the template. Our batting needs to come till at least No. 8, possibly No. 9 - somebody who can tonk the ball."

Tilak Varma who debuted in the T20Is was the highest run-scorer for India. They will be a three-match T20I series in Ireland, which will mark the comeback of Jasprit Bumrah, who will also be leading the team.