Indian Cricket Team has displayed a magnificent performance in the ongoing three-match series against New Zealand. They have played a dominating brand of cricket and have locked the series with one match to go. The remaining match will be played on Tuesday (24th January) and it’s fair to say that they would want to complete the whitewash and claim the number 1 in the ICC ODI rankings.
2 changes India might make for the dead rubber third ODI against New Zealand
With the series already in the bag, they can look to test a few players and give their main core a game to rest. But with all the important, Aussie challenge around the corner, they would also want the same game time. Let’s take a look at 2 changes India might make for the dead rubber third ODI against New Zealand:
Umran Malik
Umran Malik might be in contention to play the third game in place of Shardul Thakur. The pacer went for thrashing in the first game as he conceded 54 runs and it’s fair to say that he looked off colours. His poor bowling performance was one of the main reasons behind New Zealand getting close to the target. He did look decent in the second game but he didn’t deliver as was his expectations. Umran on the other hand has done a staggering job whenever he got a chance. He ended the Sri Lanka series as the second-highest wicket-taker and could be back in the mix.
Kapil Dev believes India have a vast pool of talent and they can field 3 different teams for 3 formats. (To Gulf News).
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 22, 2023
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal could also be in contention to play the third game against New Zealand in place of Mohammad Shami. After being hit for runs in the first game, the pacer made a good comeback as he rattled New Zealand’s batting order and made them look clueless. With Shami likely to play a massive role in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and bowl some tough overs, the team can look to rest him and play Chahal in his place of him. Hardik Pandya’s presence in the side could well be the reason India might get tempted to play both wrist spinners. Both Chahal and Kuldeep have done reasonably well when they played together and the third game against New Zealand could well be another chance of seeing them bowling in tandem.
