Team India are on a roll. Two thumping wins on consecutive games against Sri Lanka have put them in the driver’s seat of the T20I series. With the series already in the bag 2-0, the big question is: Will India tinker with their winning combination? Will benchwarmers get a chance in this series or will new head coach Gautam Gambhir will continue with the winning combination?
Jaiswal, Suryakumar have dominated
India have dominated the series, to say the least. While Yashasvi Jaiswal has been breathtaking with his strike rate of 194.44. Shubman Gill did decent in his only appearance, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav has led from the front. He is currently India’s highest run-getter with 84 runs at a astronomical strike rate of 221.05. An average of 56.33 and a SR of 170.70 after seven innings, these are some insane numbers of Suryakumar, who just loves scoring against Sri Lanka.
Riyan Parag trick has worked
When India named their playing XI in the first T20I, one surprising name was of Riyan Parag. Washington Sundar, who was the Player of the series against Zimbabwe, got benched and India instead gave opportunity to Parag. The Assam-born all-rounder has been quite a revelation thus far. While his three wickets in the opening T20I didn’t come against proper batters, it showed that India want to try new things. Parag then bowled four more overs in the next game but his chance to bat didn’t arrive. India are most likely to persist with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) lad.
More on India vs Sri Lanka series
Sundar, Dube to play IND vs SL 3rd T20I?
With the series sealed, it’s a golden opportunity for Gautam Gambhir-coached team to give some rest to their benchwarmers. The likes of Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Siraj have been in top form, but a breather wouldn’t hurt. It could also be a chance to experiment with different combinations and give some match practice to the players on the bench.
Shivam Dube, who played the entire T20 World Cup 2024, is yet to get a game. He was considered above Rinku Singh in the marquee tournament and now he is warming the bench. Maybe India are trying out other hitters and Riyan Parag and Axar Patel’s contribution with the ball might not give Dube his bowling edge. Regardless, Dube is the Indian ODI team as well and the team can look to bring in him as well.
Khaleel Ahmed is the backup pacer in the squad. He can be a straight replacement for Arshdeep Singh, who should not feel any uncertainty about his place in the team. Afterall, the joint-highest wicket-taker is India’s second-choice pacer in the format behind Jasprit Bumrah. And then there’s Washington Sundar, the Player of the Series against Zimbabwe, who has mysteriously been out of the team. A rest to Hardik Pandya came create a place for Sundar in the Indian team for 3rd T20I.
What about Sanju Samson?
Sanju Samson failed to cash in his ‘rare opportunity’ when he was castled on a golden duck by Maheesh Theekshana in the second T20I. Shubman Gill, who woke up with a neck spasm allowed Samson to get a look-in. However, things now become a bit critical. If Gill gets fit in time, he might warrant his place back. India may not be able to rest Rishabh Pant for Samson as well, given that the southpaw hasn’t looked in supreme touch as of yet. Regardless, Samson deserves a chance to showcase his form.
With the series already wrapped up, the third T20I is a chance for India to experiment and give opportunities to players who haven’t had much game time. It will be interesting to see if Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav opt to shuffle the pack or stick with the winning combination. For Sri Lanka, they should build confidence from their performances thus far. While they have played decent cricket in phases, two collapses have led out of contention in the series.
Predicted India Playing XI vs Sri Lanka for 3rd T20I
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (VC), Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.
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