The series pocketed, India is likely to experiment with its line-up in pursuit of a whitewash when it takes on an embattled West Indies in the third and final T20 International here on Tuesday. India concluded the two-match U.S. leg of the series by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead after notching up a 22-run win in the second game on Sunday.
India’s performance wasn’t the most fluent in the first match but in the second, it put up a dominant performance. While the batting line-up may not change much, India may try a new combination in bowling. The signal had been given by captain Virat Kohli himself. “Sealing the series gives the chance to bring few guys in. Idea is always going to be to win first. But winning the first two games gives the cushion,” Kohli had said after Sunday’s win.
It will not be a surprise if K. L. Rahul is drafted into the playing XI, replacing the struggling Rishabh Pant, who managed scores of 4 and 0 in the first two matches. Kohli has backed Pant to the hilt and it will be interesting to see if the 21-year-old gets another chance.
Neither Rohit Sharma nor Shikhar Dhawan are likely to be rested. For Dhawan, it’s his first series after missing the World Cup due to a thumb fracture and since he has not scored many runs in the first two matches, he will be eager to get some before the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Tests.
Possible international debut for Rahul Chahar
Leg-break bowler Rahul Chahar may make the cut in place of young paceman Navdeep Saini. Deepak Chahar, cousin of Rahul, may also find a place in the playing XI and Ravindra Jadeja could be rested.
For the host team, putting up a complete performance remains a challenge. Considered a force in the shortest format, it has not lived up to its reputation so far. The likes of Kieron Pollard and skipper Carlos Brathwaite are due a big knock.
If they can manage to walk away with a win on Tuesday, it will be a confidence-booster for the side ahead of the ODIs and Tests.
- India: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, K. L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini.
- West Indies: John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Keemo Paul, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Anthony Bramble, Jason Mohammed, Khary Pierre.
- Match starts 8pm IST.
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