Former India opener Wasim Jaffer on Sunday predicted his own playing XI for the opening Test between India and England scheduled for next month in Chennai. But little did he realise that a news website will add a twist to his predictions by creating a non-existent player for Team India.
According to Jaffer, while Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill should open India’s innings in Chennai, he felt that Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant should bat at number three, four, five and six respectively.
Jaffer said that India should opt for Axar Patel given the weakness that English batsmen have in negotiating left-arm spin bowling. The former India opener said that Ravichandran Ashwin should be another spin bowler in the team, while the management should choose the best bowler between Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur depending upon the pitch condition on the day. The same rule, Jaffer added, should apply to Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj for a place in the playing XI.
Jaffer said that Jasprit Bumrah should spearhead India’s bowling attack
India’s Playing XI for 1st Test(imo):
1 Rohit
2 Gill
3 Pujara
4 Kohli
5 Rahane
6 Pant
7 Axar*
8 Ashwin
9 Kuldeep/Thakur
10 Ishant/Siraj
11 Bumrah
Question is about 2 spots depending on combination + pitch.What’s your XI?
*Eng have huge weakness vs left arm spin. #INDvENG
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 31, 2021
Jaffer’s predictions were picked up by news outlets including NDTV. However, the report by NDTV mistook Jaffer’s reference to Kuldeep for a non-existent Kuldeep Sharma. This prompted the former India player to share the screenshot of the news article with a hilarious caption. Jaffer wrote, “Unfortunately selectors haven’t picked Kuldeep Sharma @CricketNDTV #INDvENG.”
Unfortunately selectors haven’t picked Kuldeep Sharma @CricketNDTV ? #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/AqgiklZtef
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 31, 2021
As expected, cricket fans were in splits by NDTV’s gaffe and Jaffer’s hilarious take.
Kuldeep Sharma!!???
Oye Kuldeep, welcome to Sharma Family ?#INDvENG #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/3PGL28w3Ml
— THE ROCKSTAR (@VivJonty) January 31, 2021
Saleyy chutiya logo ko kuldeep bhai ka Naam tak patha nahi hai bc?
— harry (@harshav99950857) January 31, 2021
NDTV be like: pic.twitter.com/tPs0Xx8GGZ
— Ajay (@bhejaleaks) January 31, 2021
Me to that writer ?? pic.twitter.com/Jwu5tS11fi
— Y2j (@____hbk_______) January 31, 2021
India and England will lock horns in the first Test of the fourth-match series in Chennai from 4 February. This will be the first home match for Virat Kohli’s men since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic brought an end to cricket matches in India last year. India have just returned from a historic series win against Australia away from home.