IND vs SL: The third T20 saw the Indian team going down as they faced severe trouble in the batting department; however, they later won the match with a convincing bowling performance and a bowling gamble from Gautam Gambhir.
Even the Lankan batters stood firm to their opponents; however, this is the reason why they are among the weakest teams currently in world cricket, as their middle order underperformed once again. After a stunning 90/1 stand, the Lankan innings failed miserably to the India spinners.
Sundar and Bishnoi pulled the game back when Gambhir played probably the biggest gamble cricket has ever witnessed, as Rinku Singh bowled the 19th over giving 3 runs and picking 2 wickets, while skipper Surya came in himself as he defended 6 runs of the last over as well.
Later, Sundar claimed the match wonderfully, as he resisted them to a 2-run super over and the Indian skipper hit a boundary to seal the series 3-0 over Sri Lanka.
All 3 players who might lose their spot in the T20I team to 3 new players.
Sanju Samson to be replaced by Ruturaj Gaikwad
The batter, though not provided with a continuous streak of matches, still whenever handed a chance has underperformed in the shortest format. Though he is a dynamic batsman playing in the IPL, he no longer fits into the profile of a perfectionist T20I batter.
With India now having the status of World Champions in the format, Samson is likely to be replaced by someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been a constant performer, is versatile to play in different positions, and has also been in the buzz for being the most ideal replacement for the legendary Virat Kohli.
Shivam Dube to be replaced by Abhishek Sharma
Shivam Dube has been a controversial pick since the World Cups. T20s are often known for productive players, as the format demands short yet fruitful players who can make vital contributions to team success. Dube was picked with the expectation that he would enhance India’s hitting prowess down the order.
Shivam Dube, the CSK batter, did not last long as an all-rounder as well, as he has not often been seen with the ball in hand. After a stint of low scores with a strike rate below 100, Dube should finally be replaced by the likes of a player like Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek has been a great all-rounder, as the left-handed batter has shown far more intent than anyone else. He is a clean hitter of the ball, in far better form, and can even open the innings in times of need. Sharma is handy with the ball, as he was seen in the Zimbabwe tour and the IPL 2024 as well. Moreover, a young player like Sharma can be seen as a future prospect, with Dube being far senior in age to the young rising star.
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Mohammad Siraj to be replaced by Mukesh Kumar
Siraj has been a part of the Indian team for a long time now, as he has lacked picking wickets lately. Since the CWC 2023, he has not picked as many wickets as Team India would have liked him to.
Siraj did not play many games in the T20 World Cup as well; even in the tour he did not pick many wickets; even in a low-scoring thriller like the 3rd T20, he did not pick up a single wicket. The T20 game often demands wicket-taking bowlers rather than economical ones, as even Rinku and Surya showed how wickets can turn the course of the game.
Mukesh Kumar, who has always been a strike bowler, has enjoyed wicket-taking prowess with team India as well, and it seems high time that the Delhi Capitals medium pacer is preferred over Siraj for T20s. Mukesh’s call for T20s would also give Siraj the time to get his ODI game better.
