Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the third T20I against England. India lost the second game of the series by four wickets, and the visitors would look to bounce back strongly on Tuesday.
Chopra noted that the spinners have outperformed the pacers at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, but highlighted India won’t be able to continue with three spinners. He reckons Prince Yadav should replace Ravi Bishnoi after the leg-spinner conceded 60 runs in his four overs in the last game.
Yadav had made an impressive debut against Ireland as he had returned with figures of 3-22 in his four overs.
“Interestingly, the pace-bowling numbers aren’t that good at Trent Bridge. The spinners’ average is 21.4 and it’s nearly 28 for the pacers. So the spinners are doing well. We have a trio, but the trio won’t play. Even though Trent Bridge’s numbers say spinners do well, I feel Ravi Bishnoi will have to be made to sit out,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“You will play with only Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel. There won’t be a place for Washi as well. Get Prince Yadav. The ball swings a little at the start in the Powerplay for sure. So use him there and pick up wickets. The story would become slightly easier if you make the Powerplay in your name. I am recommending just one change,” he observed.
Chopra reckons there could be an interesting battle between England and Indian spinners in the third game of the series.
“If there is even slight help for spin, they have Adil Rashid and Will Jacks, and we have Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy. This could be a wonderful matchup. It’s a beautiful story, and Varun Chakaravarthy vs England’s middle order could also be a good story because Harry Brook is fighting his own battle,” he said.
The renowned commentator said Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer would look to get his maiden T20I win as a leader.
“The battle is about how to stay relevant in the clash and keep winning games even though their batting order is not in great form. Harry Brook is trying to create his own legacy, and Shreyas Iyer hasn’t won a single game as a captain thus far. This is not a great thing. You need to put the record straight and start winning,” Chopra observed.
Aakash Chopra’s playing XI for 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav.
