India Eyes Series Win While Experimenting in 3rd T20I Against England
With a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against England, India is in a position to experiment with their playing XI in the third match. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will aim to maintain momentum while giving opportunities to players who have yet to feature prominently in the series. Here’s an analysis of the possible changes and strategy:
Key Points to Consider
Forced Change from the Previous Match
- Rinku Singh’s injury in the second T20I led to Dhruv Jurel’s inclusion. However, Jurel couldn’t make a significant impact, opening the door for Shivam Dube as a potential replacement at No. 6.
Shami’s Return
- Mohammed Shami, who has been on the bench despite being fully fit, might be brought in to bolster the pace attack. His experience could be valuable, especially with the series already in India’s favor.
Spin-Bowling Options
- With Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi forming the spin attack, one of them might be rested to accommodate Shami or Harshit Rana, creating a more pace-heavy strategy.
Top Order Stability
- Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are expected to continue as openers, with Tilak Varma solidifying his position at No. 3 after consistent performances.
- Suryakumar Yadav, as captain, will aim to regain form and provide stability at No. 4.
All-Round Contributions
- Hardik Pandya remains a key figure in the middle order, with his all-round abilities providing balance to the team.
Pace-Bowling Attack
- Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy are likely to retain their places as core members of the bowling unit.
- If Shami plays, he could add depth and experience, while Harshit Rana offers a fresh option.
Likely Playing XI for the 3rd T20I
- Sanju Samson (wk) – Opener
- Abhishek Sharma – Opener
- Tilak Varma – No. 3
- Suryakumar Yadav (c) – No. 4
- Hardik Pandya – No. 5
- Shivam Dube – No. 6 (in place of Jurel)
- Washington Sundar – Spinner/All-rounder
- Axar Patel – Spinner/All-rounder
- Mohammed Shami – Pacer (in place of Bishnoi or Rana)
- Arshdeep Singh – Pacer
- Varun Chakravarthy – Spinner
Strategy Outlook
With a 2-0 lead, India can afford to test their bench strength while maintaining a competitive edge. Players like Shami and Dube could benefit from game time ahead of bigger tournaments. Suryakumar Yadav’s form will be closely watched as India seeks stability in the middle order.
The third T20I promises to be an exciting match, with India aiming to seal the series while giving fringe players an opportunity to prove their mettle.
