This Sunday’s third Twenty20 International between India and West Indies could see Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad come into play, with the hosts expected to make a few changes.
It’s possible for Team India to make multiple changes to their playing XI for the final T20I against West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, as the series is already in the bag. There will be no Virat Kohli or Rishabh Pant in the last match, nor will they play in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka, which begins February 24. If Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad get a chance to play in the final T20I, so be it.
Before the third and final T20I vs West Indies, here is how India could line up:
Rohit Sharma is the author of this piece. Rohit Sharma will take charge of the squad in his absence, as Virat Kohli is expected to miss the next four T20Is. Rohit Sharma could only manage 19 runs in the second T20I after striking a brilliant 40 in the first encounter, which he made in just 19 balls. He intends to bring the series to a satisfying conclusion.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is a possible addition to India’s starting lineup. Batting first for both his IPL and domestic teams, he may open the batting alongside Rohit Sharma.
A place in the playing XI could be opened up by Gaikwad’s inclusion, which would allow Ishan Kishan to replace Virat Kohli at number three. In Pant’s absence, the southpaw is likely to keep the wickets.
Suryakumar Yadav: Suryakumar Yadav, who batted fourth the night before, could return to the lineup. Suryakumar, a talented spin bowler, will like to score some runs before the Sri Lanka series begins.
In Shreyas Iyer’s case, India elected to play with an additional bowler in the first two games, which meant that Iyer missed out. In other words, he may join the club and fill the vacancy at No. 5 with his arrival.
In the first two T20Is, Venkatesh Iyer has been a man on a mission, scoring vital runs. His dismissal from the team is extremely unlikely.
Deepak Chahar: In the second T20I, Deepak Chahar had a miserable game, being taken for a tonne and failing to pick up a wicket. It’s only a matter of time before the T20 World Cup is held later this year, and Chahar is hoping to solidify his position in the team.
Playing in an Indian shirt is still a long way off for Harshal Patel. As with Chahar, he’ll want to make an impression on the top brass.
Bhubneshwar Kumar: Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a rough night, but he still managed to take the wicket of Nicholas Pooran and keep his cool in the crucial 19th over. He is expected to be given a chance in the third and final T20I by the management.
Currently, Ravi Bishnoi is having a good time with the game of cricket. The teenage leggie picked up another wicket in the second T20I after taking two on his debut in the first. In the series finale, he’ll be out to prove himself even more.
Jasprit Bumrah: Yuzvendra Chahal is one wicket away from becoming India’s highest wicket-taker in the one-day international format. In the final twenties, Chahal will try to beat his own record.
