IND vs NZ 2023: Umran Malik struggles in T20 cricket, yet to learn variations – Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer believes Umran Malik struggles in T20 cricket as he has yet to learn the variations, needed to succeed in the shortest format of the game. Malik has impressed with his raw pace but he doesn’t have a slower ball in his repertoire.

Malik has scalped nine wickets in seven T20I matches in his young career but he has conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 11.14.

Thus, Jaffer feels it will make sense if Yuzvendra Chahal retains his place in the playing XI for the third T20I against New Zealand. Chahal had returned with figures of 1-4 in the two overs he bowled against the Kiwis in the second game of the series.

“It would be better to have Yuzvendra Chahal as New Zealand struggle against spinners and if there is a wrist-spinner, India must utilize it. As I mentioned previously, Umran Malik struggles in T20 cricket. He is yet to learn the variations needed to succeed in this format. So, in that way, Chahal is a better option,” Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo.

On the other hand, the former domestic giant added that an in-form Prithvi Shaw could replace Shubman Gill in the playing XI. Gill has returned with scores of 7 and 11 in the first two T20Is against the Kiwis and has failed to carry his ODI form into T20I cricket.

“If India considers a change, maybe Prithvi Shaw could come in for Shubman Gill because he is in a good form and is better suited for T20 cricket. But otherwise, I’m not concerned a lot about Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi,” he added.

The series is 1-1 and India would want to come up with a collective show to clinch another home bilateral series. The hosts won the second game by six wickets after they managed to chase down 100 runs.

The third and final T20I will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.