Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi remained on the bench as Team India announced an unchanged playing XI for IND vs SA 3rd T20I in Johannesburg on Thursday, December 14.
After a washout in first T20I, the Men in Blue suffered a 5-wicket defeat in Gqeberha to go 0-1 behind in the 3-match series.
Many were expecting the return of veteran batter Shreyas Iyer and top T20I bowler Ravi Bishnoi in the playing XI for the series decider but the management have decided to go with the same eleven for the final T20I.
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Earlier, former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir had questioned the snub of Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi from playing XI in the second T20I.
“I don’t know what could be the reason [behind Shreyas’ omission]. He just scored a half-century in the last game in Bengaluru. Now what could the reason be – whether they were looking at left-handers or Iyer has a niggle –only team management can answer it”, Gambhir said on Star Sports.
“But yeah, like PC said, if the world No.1-ranked T20I bowler is not in your Playing XI… and don’t forget. This is not your main team – you giving youngsters chances here. Only Suryakumar Yadav and the team management can provide some clarity”, the 42-year-old further added.
Notably, both Iyer and Bishnoi played crucial roles in IND vs AUS T20Is.
While Iyer scored a crucial 53 in the final T20I, Bishnoi was adjudged Player of the Series for picking 9 wickets.
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