Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons India could make a couple of changes in their playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand, which would be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
India has already taken an impregnable lead of 3-0 in the series and they would look to rotate their players. Ashwin believes either Mayank Yadav, who played the series opener, or a spinner can come in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who hasn’t had an ideal return to the team after four years.
Kumar has scalped a solitary wicket in the first three games and he has also proved to be expensive, conceding his runs at economy rate of 11.58.
“We can also rotate the way New Zealand are doing. But before you look to do that, we must keep in mind that the first two games were on a big ground where you could have used spinners. In the third T20I, even New Zealand’s spinners were of no use. In the next two games, the grounds will be even smaller. So I am not sure if spinners can play there. But the way Bhuvi has bowled, a spinner or Mayank might take his place, and I will not be surprised,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
In the same discussion, former Indian spinner Rahul Sharma reckons either Varun Chakravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav can replace Axar Patel.
“I think either Kuldeep or Varun can be played in place of Axar. But I feel the preparation is also necessary. Even though T20 has changed a lot, if you bowl good balls, the batters can still be troubled. If you are well prepared, you will not be as scared or clueless. You will get hit anyway, but at least you will have a plan in that scenario,” he said.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
