On Wednesday, January 17, India and Afghanistan will meet for the final T20I of the three-match series at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
India updated their line-up for the second T20I and emerged victorious with a 2-0 lead. In this game, Yashasvi Jaiswal overcame a minor groin injury to contribute significant plays. Also, Virat Kohli, having missed the first game for personal matters, made a swift return.
Having previously secured the series, they may be more eager to make the necessary adjustments this time. The Men in Blue will aim to offer some rookies some playing time in the middle of their last Twenty20 International before the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India has to make the following three changes for the third Twenty20 International against Afghanistan.
1. Avesh Khan for Mukesh Kumar
Since his introduction, Mukesh Kumar’s position in the Indian white-ball system has come under scrutiny, and he hasn’t done enough to demonstrate why the selectors believed in him. Especially in T20Is, he has not impressed.
Mukesh’s bowling stats are not that grand. In 13 games, he’s got only 12 wickets. He’s burning through 9.23 runs per over. He’s averaging 30.66 – that’s not really good. Plus, nobody’s sure about his place on the team. Even though he’s supposed to be the top bowler in closing, he only threw two overs in the last T20I when he’s 30.
India must undoubtedly look past Mukesh Kumar, and the way he performed in the second Twenty20 International implies he shouldn’t be in the playing XI for the rubber match. The only other pacer in the team, Avesh Khan, has been playing well lately and ought to take Mukesh’s position.
2. Kuldeep Yadav for Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar, another bowler who hasn’t been involved in much of the action in the first two Twenty20 Internationals, has struck six wicketless overs for fifty runs. He hasn’t had a chance to bat either, as India is easily reducing the targets.
Sundar, who bats at No. 8 and does not bowl his entire allotment, appears out of place in the current T20I squad. Finger-spinners frequently suffer in the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the off-spinner’s bowling could be exposed.
Therefore, it makes sense if Kuldeep Yadav, a wrist-spinner who was playing well in South Africa, were to replace Sundar. The left-arm leggie, who is vying with Ravi Bishnoi to be the best spinner in India, may partner with his rival in a straight-up shootout.
1. Sanju Samson for Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma has recently made a few daring cameos and is well suited for a middle-order role. Giving Sanju Samson a try at wicket-keeping, meanwhile, would be a good idea following his two-ball duck in the second Twenty20 International.
Samson deserves a chance to leave his imprint against Afghanistan after smashing a century in his most recent international match. Since India won’t be playing any more Twenty20 Internationals before the T20 World Cup, the management of the team will be able to determine their course of action based on how he performs at No. 5, even if it’s just for one game.
One defeat doesn’t really impact Jitesh’s position in the T20I rankings, therefore he should undoubtedly stay in the frame. But Samson appears a perfect fit to take his place for the Bengaluru match.
