With India already securing the three-match T20I series 2-0, the team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is expected to introduce significant changes for the final match against Bangladesh, scheduled for Saturday in Hyderabad. The Indian side for this series has been youthful, and several promising performances have given the team management plenty of positive takeaways. In particular, the emergence of young players such as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Yadav has been notable.
While Nitish impressed in the second T20I with his contributions in both batting and bowling, Mayank’s express pace earned him a spot as a reserve bowler for India’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand. However, a shadow of uncertainty still looms over Sanju Samson, who has failed to impact the series significantly.
Opening Partnership: Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson
The likely opening pair for India in the third T20I will be Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Both players bring unique skill sets to the top order, but Samson will be under greater scrutiny. Abhishek has shown flashes of good form throughout the series, but Sanju Samson, once again, has struggled to convert his starts into big scores.
The third T20I offers him a final chance to make an impression, especially since his performance could be critical in determining his future selection for the upcoming series. A good knock here could boost his confidence and silence his critics, providing him much-needed momentum.
Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav Leads a Promising Young Core
The middle order will feature some of India’s brightest young talents, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge. Supported by Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the middle order will be eager to capitalize on the opportunity to prove their worth. Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, will bring his aggressive stroke play and experience to anchor the innings. At the same time, the likes of Riyan and Rinku will look to impress the selectors with their versatility and ability to handle pressure.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, the star performer in the second T20I, will also have the chance to showcase his all-round abilities again. His contributions with both bat and ball make him a valuable asset to the team, and another strong showing in the final match could further solidify his position in India’s T20 setup.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar
Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar are expected to retain their places as the team’s all-rounders. Hardik, in particular, has been exceptional with the ball and will be a key player in the bowling department. His ability to chip in with vital runs down the order also makes him indispensable.
Sundar, who has consistently performed well in both the batting and bowling departments, will be looking to contribute with his off-spin and handy lower-order batting.
Bowling Attack: Harshit Rana’s Debut
In the bowling unit, Harshit Rana is set to debut for India. He will join Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh in what promises to be an exciting and young bowling attack. While Bishnoi’s leg-spin adds a dimension of mystery to the team, Arshdeep’s left-arm pace and swing have been crucial for India’s success in the series. Mayank Yadav is expected to be rested for the final game after two impressive performances.
India’s Predicted XI for the 3rd T20I:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Riyan Parag
- Rinku Singh
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Hardik Pandya
- Washington Sundar
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
The third T20I allows India to test their bench strength while providing young talents the platform to make a mark. With the series already won, the team can play with freedom, allowing them to experiment ahead of more formidable challenges in the future.
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