With the series already in the bag, Team India could make plenty of changes to their playing XI when they face the West Indies on Sunday in the third and final T20I at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Former skipper Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant will not compete in the final, and will also miss the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka, which starts on February 24. Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad in particular could make a point in the team for the final T20I.
Ahead of the third and final T20I, here’s how India could stack up against the West Indies:
Rohit Sharma: With Kohli set to sit out the next four T20I games, it is now up to skipper Rohit Sharma to lead the team to victory. After scoring a fine 19-ball 40 in the first T20I, Rohit was able to score only 19 runs in the 2nd game. He will try to end the series with a climax.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Ruturaj Gaikwad is one of the most likely changes to India’s playing XI. He usually tops the rankings for his IPL and domestic team, opening the innings with captain Rohit.
Ishan Kishan: With Gaikwad potentially entering the playing XI, Ishan Kishan could take the vacant No. 3 spot from Virat Kohli. The left-hander is also expected to keep the wickets in Pant’s absence.
Suryakumar Yadav: Suryakumar Yadav could come in at number 1. 4, just like he did the previous night. Suryakumar, a fine player of spin bowling, will aim to be several runs ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer was unlucky to miss the first two games as India decided to play with an extra bowler. However, he could come straight into the team and occupy that vacant number. 5 spot.
Venkatesh Iyer: Venkatesh Iyer is a man on a mission, having taken major hits in the first two T20Is. It is highly unlikely that management will drop him from the team.
Deepak Chahar: Deepak Chahar had a scorching outing in the second T20I as he was taken for a lot and failed to take a wicket either. With the T20 World Cup to be held later this year, Chahar will look to put in some consistent performances and cement his place in the team.
Harshal Patel: Harshal Patel has yet to play his best cricket in an Indian jersey. Like Chahar, he will also want to impress the management.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t have the best games last night but took the all-important wicket from Nicholas Pooran and kept his nerves in the key 19th. Management will likely support him for the third and final T20I.
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Ravi Bishnoi: Ravi Bishnoi is currently enjoying his cricket. After picking two wickets on his debut in the first T20I, the young leggie added another wicket to his name in the second match. He will try to impress even more in the final game of the series.
Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal is just one wicket away from overtaking Jasprit Bumrah as India’s all-time leading wicket taker in the format. Chahal would try to break the record in the final T20I.
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