Former Chennai Super Kings fast bowler Mohit Sharma highlighted it would be interesting to note if India would address their weakness in the second T20I against Afghanistan. Sharma noted that the fifth bowler’s conundrum is India’s Achilles Heel.

The trio of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma conceded a total of 59 runs in the four overs they bowled collectively. While Reddy conceded 20 runs in two overs he bowled, Dube was taken for 21 runs in the final over of the innings.

While the rest of the front-line bowlers were right on the money, Indian all-rounders could not hit the right areas.

“India has a question to address. It is a big question. I am talking about the fifth bowler. Will the management look at it? Will they think that they need a fifth bowler in Ravi Bishnoi or Yash Thakur? They could even bring Washington Sundar in. Washi can give you two to three overs on this wicket in Delhi,” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif also concurred with Sharma but reckons the management won’t make a change.

“That problem was seen in the first game, where we missed a fifth or sixth bowler. I don’t think they would make a change though, as it is only one game in the series and they won as well. In the first ten overs, things were in control. In the second half, they could not pick up wickets at one point when Nabi and Omarzai had a partnership. But I feel they will back the same players, as they won.”

Kaif added that Nitish Kumar could be used earlier with the new ball as he can get some swing.

“Maybe they can use Reddy earlier. Give him the new ball. You can play the same team but you can see how to use the bowlers. If Abhishek gave just eight runs and bowled a good over, give one more to Reddy there and finish his quota. If they had done that, maybe there would be no need to give Dube the 20th over,” he said.

The second T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played on Tuesday in Delhi.