IND vs SA 3rd T20I: Will Team India make these changes in must win game at Vizag?

Will Deepak Hooda get a chance in the playing XI for India in the third T20I against Proteas at Vizag on Tuesday. Photo: Debasis Sen

Xtra Time Web Desk: Will Team India make these changes in must win 3rd T20I against South Africa at Vizag on Tuesday? It is very likely the team management will make one or two changes to the playing XI for the third T20I. Will left arm spinner Axar Patel, leg spinner Yuzuvendra Chahal and pacer Avesh Khan persisted with despite going for a lot of runs in the first two T20Is? Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid will have to make some tough call as the series is at stake. Any more slip up will see the hosts losing the five match T20I series 0-3. Dravid is a firm believer of continuity and not in favour of too many chopping and changing. Will he bring in a couple of changes especially players like Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh are in the reserves.

If the team management does decide to get in Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi and either Arshdeep Singh or Umran Malik then Axar Patel, Yuzuvendra Chahal and Avesh Khan will have to sit out.

The hosts have struggled to put up a good show so far in the series. Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad is yet to make a substantial contribution. Captain Rishabh Pant is also struggling with his form. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has leaked 75 runs in 6.1 overs so far. Harshal Patel although was economical in the 2nd T20, he hasn’t shown his IPL form. Axar Patel too has been a huge let down both with the bat and ball.

Will Umran Malik or Arshdeep Singh make their T20I debut for India?

Punjab left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is likely to be preferred over Umran Malik. The young pacer warmed the bench in the first two matches but with Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel misfiring, Arshdeep can be called in.

India Playing XI for 3rd T20I (Likely): Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C), Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel/ Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi