Gaikwad, who has only got a chance in the five-match series only because KL Rahul’s injury, scored 23 (15) and one off four balls in Delhi and Cuttack. India lost both games, prompting calls for his snubbing. But top-scoring in Vizag and building a 97-run opening partnership with Ishan Kishan (54 off 35), which laid the foundation for a much-needed 48-run win, helped in shutting down some of the criticism.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer hailed Kishan, Gaikwad and Hardik Pandya (31* off 21) but reserved special praise for the Chennai Super Kings batter. He said:
Jaffer added:
This was Gaikwad’s first international half-century. Although a place in the 2022 T20 World Cup main squad is still unlikely, two more good knocks in the series could help him stake his claim for the T20I opening spot in the long run.
“If you lose three wickets in the powerplay, you fall too behind in the match” - Wasim Jaffer
Jaffer also talked about the impact of the pitch and India finally breaking a fourth-wicket South African partnership - something that’s been troubling them since last year’s Test series in the Rainbow Nation. He said the pitch in Vizag wasn’t too difficult and the visitors’ struggles were due to their powerplay batting.
The former opener also lauded leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has had a difficult series as well, for taking the fourth wicket - skipper Temba Bavuma - and turning the game India’s way. Jaffer remarked:
Chahal ended the match with a brilliant spell of 20/3 after picking up just one wicket across the first two T20Is. He’ll look to build on the performance in the fourth T20I in Rajkot, which will begin at 7:00 pm IST on Friday, 17 June.
Also Read: IND vs SA 2022: “Rishabh Pant’s lack of runs is the missing piece of India’s batting” - Wasim Jaffer
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