Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer reckons the fifth bowling option is India’s kryptonite despite the team’s seven-wicket win in the opening game against Afghanistan on Sunday. 

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.

Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel, “The one thing that is a matter of concern is the fifth bowler. Nitish Reddy and Shivam Dube were expensive. It is going to be a concern when Hardik Pandya is not playing.

“When Hardik is not there, there is a problem. They tried Abhishek Sharma as well, who I think is a good option. But India will have to keep an eye on the fifth or sixth bowlers as we prepare for the World Cup,” Jaffer added.

Jaffer said India doesn’t have a like-for-like replacement for star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been on the sidelines due to injury woes.

“Keeping the ODI World Cup in mind, Hardik is a big factor, and his presence is very important. He could be the third or fourth seamer in the World Cup in South Africa. In that sense, it is very important for Hardik to be fit because we still don’t have a like-for-like replacement for him.

“Hardik Pandya is a notch above the replacements that we have, whether it is Shivam Dube or Nitish Kumar Reddy; no one is at the level of Hardik Pandya right now.”

Pandya will return to action in the One-Day series against Australia A but his final selection is subject to fitness clearance

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