We don’t play fearless cricket – Wasim Jaffer reveals India’s concern ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has urged the Indian batters to adopt an aggressive approach, especially in the white-ball formats. While Team India has savored success in the bilateral series, they haven’t been able to go all the way in major ICC events, which has been disappointing.

India has adopted a timid approach in the knockout matches and it has led to their downfall. In fact, Indian bowling has done a decent job but the batters have failed to deliver collectively in high-pressure games.

While teams like Australia and England have adopted a fresh and attacking approach, India still looks to be playing the old-fashioned way, which is not reaping them rewards.

Jaffer feels the Rohit Sharma-led team needs to adapt quickly ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The former Indian opener also recalled the selectors’ mistakes ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda, Jaffer said: “Ambati Rayudu was playing consistently ahead of the 2019 World Cup and then he was replaced with Vijay Shankar. They also tried Kedar Jadhav, so Team India slightly deviated from their template. Even in Asia Cups and T20 World Cups, we don’t play fearless cricket like in the bilaterals. They have to be more fearless, especially in white-ball cricket.”

He added: “In white ball, I think the cricket is changing these days. Team India must take that fearless approach, whether it’s T20Is or ODIs. Even though we fail in the first few games but [stick to that approach]. We’ve to pick the players accordingly and back them. [For example] Successful teams which won the trophies are playing that brand of cricket. We have to adapt quickly.”

Meanwhile, India could not end their ICC Trophy drought of the last decade as they suffered a 209-run loss against Australia in the World Test Championship final. India conceded a huge score of 469 runs in the first innings and from there on, they were always chasing the game.

Team India will now tour West Indies for three ODIs, two Test matches, and five T20Is.