‘Too ambitious’: Former India cricketer expresses concern over Gautam Gambhir’s game plan for India

India’s Naman Dhir, centre, celebrates with captain Shreyas Iyer, right, and others (PTI Photo) Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer believes Rinku Singh’s absence is hurting India in the ongoing T20I series against West Indies, arguing that the left-hander could have made the difference in the fourth match.India suffered a 24-run defeat on Wednesday after the visitors successfully defended the target of 248 to level the five-match series at 2-2. Shai Hope led the charge with an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls as West Indies finished on 247/3. India, in reply, were bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs, with Arshdeep Singh retiring in the final over as the chase drew to a close.Taking to his YouTube channel, Jaffer questioned the decision to leave Rinka out of the Indian side, insisting that his ability to serve the batter in the middle and lower order makes him a valuable option.“If you look at it from a batsman’s point of view, Rinku is miles ahead of everyone else. He bats amazingly at number five and six and he is left-handed. I feel it is very unfortunate that he is not part of this Indian team purely because he cannot mix. I understand Rajat’s (Patidar) case because he is batting in the top order and there should be no place,” said Rinku.The former India batsman felt that Rinku could have given India a chance to turn the match around during the fourth T20I, pointing to the runner-up’s record in franchise cricket.“If you had Rinka in that position, you never know. He could have changed the game. He has the capacity and won many matches in franchise cricket that way,” he added.Rinku struggled to secure a regular place in the Indian playing eleven and was eventually dropped from the team after the Zimbabwe tour. His numbers this year were modest, 152 runs from 13 matches at an average of 25.33 and a strike rate of 139.44. His highest score this term is 44 not out.However, his record of batting at No. 5 or 6 in T20Is tells a different story. In 22 innings in these positions, Rinku has scored 518 runs at an average of 43.15 and a strike rate of 156.00, underscoring his effectiveness in the role Jaffer believes he should be given.Jaffer also reviewed India’s decision to include Naman Dhir in the T20I squad and expressed reservations about expecting the all-rounder to bowl his full quota of four overs. He said off-spinners can struggle outside the power play when they lack variation, especially on Indian pitches.“For an off-spinner, it’s a bit difficult to bounce after a power-over if you don’t have variety. Roston Chase does that; credit to him. If you don’t have that kind of smarts or variation, especially in India, it’s very difficult. So expecting Naman Dhir to play four overs is too ambitious,” he said.Jaffer added that Dhir’s contribution with the bat will be crucial for his place in the T20I side. The all-rounder managed just 14 runs in three innings in the series but Jaffer believes he has the ability to make a quick contribution.“I feel his performance with the bat is very important for him to play T20 cricket. Unfortunately it hasn’t happened in the last two matches but he has the ability to come and play a quick 25-30 cameo,” he signed off.With the score tied at 2-2, India and West Indies will face each other in the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17.