If bowlers start dominating too much in the T20 format, the excitement will fade: Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer ( PC- X)

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer is not opposed to teams chasing 250-plus totals, emphasising that T20 cricket is ultimately about entertainment. However, the 48-year-old does not support the Impact Player rule. He believes that if bowlers begin to dominate the format, it could reduce the excitement for fans.

Jaffer has recently applied for the role of Bengal coach. In an interaction with this correspondent, the former Punjab Kings batting coach spoke about Mumbai Indians’ disappointing campaign, concerns around Suryakumar Yadav’s form, Punjab Kings’ success under Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, emerging Gen Z talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Priyansh Arya, and more. Here are the excerpts:

Are you in favour of 200-plus scores being chased quite often in this edition of the IPL?
Wasim Jaffer: I am not in favour of the Impact Sub rule, let’s put it that way. Teams are batting well and with a lot of aggression, but I think that has been aided by the Impact Sub because batters know they have one extra batter to help them. That fearlessness comes from playing with an extra batter.

I feel teams are playing more fearlessly because they have that cushion. Good scores are being chased down, and it’s tough for the bowlers for sure because most grounds are not very big – the boundaries are only about 60–65 metres. With the kind of talent batters have and the power they possess with modern bats, it is not difficult to hit sixes. But I feel this rule helps them play fearlessly.

Don’t you think there should be parity between batters and bowlers in T20 cricket, given the format heavily favours batters?
Jaffer: This format is primarily about entertainment, and I believe batters should receive a bit of support. If bowlers start dominating, the excitement will fade. Spectators come to see boundaries and sixes, but they also enjoy closely contested matches.

The thrill lies in games that go down to the final overs, not in one-sided contests where a team scores 250 and wins by 30, 40 or 50 runs. While there have been instances where totals of 150–160 have been defended in places like Lucknow, I still feel batters should have a slight advantage, as that drives the entertainment factor. At the same time, the real appeal lies in closely fought matches.

Do you think someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be given a chance in the Indian senior team for the tour to Ireland?
Jaffer: I think it’s worth taking a chance on him. He has fulfilled the criteria – he has scored runs everywhere he has played. If you leave his age aside, he has performed for India U-19 and in the IPL across seasons.

He has what it takes to play in this format, so I believe he should be given a chance.

Last year’s runners-up Punjab Kings are currently topping the table with 13 points. How much do you attribute their success to Shreyas Iyer’s leadership?
Jaffer: Not just Shreyas Iyer – I think Ricky Ponting as well. They form a very good partnership. They worked together at Delhi Capitals and reached the final too.

I’m not saying Punjab Kings weren’t competitive before, but they have changed the system a bit. They built a strong team at the auction. Everything feels right when you start winning, and that’s what they have done. I don’t know what’s happening internally, but whatever they’re doing is working.

Punjab were considered a struggling franchise until recently, with limited playoff appearances, but they were excellent last season and have started this season brilliantly. A lot of credit goes to those two.

Arshdeep Singh has managed just eight wickets so far with an economy of 10.96. Is his bowling becoming a concern?

Jaffer: It is a bit of a concern. Even though this format is very challenging for bowlers, we’ve seen some incredible batting this season – numerous 200-plus and even 250-run scores, big powerplay totals, and plenty of sixes.

But as a premier Indian bowler, it is slightly worrying. I feel he tries too many things because he is an attacking bowler. Sometimes he just needs to be more patient and bowl good, simple deliveries.

If he focuses on consistency and waits for batters to make mistakes – which they will – he will pick up wickets. Right now, trying too many variations is costing him runs and putting pressure on himself.

What do you think is the main reason for Mumbai Indians’ poor performance so far?
Jaffer: I feel their key players haven’t produced the performances needed to stay in the top half of the table. Rohit Sharma only played a few matches at the start before getting injured. Ryan Rickelton has been inconsistent, and Suryakumar Yadav has been in poor form.

Tilak Varma has only one hundred, and both Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah haven’t been at their best. Mitchell Santner was unavailable, and their bowling has been lacklustre. Trent Boult hasn’t provided the kind of starts expected of him.

When so many players are underperforming, results like this are inevitable. On paper, I thought they had one of the best teams and even backed them to make the playoffs and possibly win the title.

Do you think Suryakumar Yadav has become too predictable in his shot selection?
Jaffer: I think teams have figured out that against fast bowlers he looks to score behind square, and against spinners he relies heavily on the sweep.

He needs to go back and analyse when he was scoring runs consistently. He was dangerous because he played all around the ground. Now he has become a bit predictable, and at this level, teams exploit that.

He should return to the drawing board and start using different areas again before targeting his strengths.

Which batters have impressed you the most in this IPL so far?
Jaffer: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has definitely impressed. I thought the second season would be more challenging for him, but he has adapted well and even improved his off-side play.

Priyansh Arya has been brilliant, though a bit inconsistent – which is understandable given his high-risk approach. Prabhsimran Singh has improved and become more consistent, though I still feel he can do more.

Apart from them, the usual names – KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli – continue to dominate. Among newer players, Vaibhav and Priyansh stand out.

You have coached Punjab, Uttarakhand and Odisha. Are you interested in coaching Bengal?
Jaffer: I’ve applied for the head coach position after the advertisement came out. My job is to put my name forward. Now it’s up to the Cricket Association of Bengal to decide the best candidate.

Yes, I have applied for the role.

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