Ishant Sharma, an Indian fast bowler, thinks that Deepak Hooda will be replaced by Virat Kohli at No. 3 for the rest of the T20I series against England.
The former captain came back to the team after missing the first T20I, which took place in Southampton and was won by India by 50 runs.
Because of Deepak Hooda’s recent performances and Virat Kohli’s recent lack of form, the No. 3 spot is a tough one to choose.
During India’s recent tour of Ireland, the all-rounder became the fourth player to score a T20I century. He kept up his good form with a valuable cameo against England at Southampton.
Ishant Sharma said on Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel that Virat Kohli will have to be in the team if he is already there:
“I think Deepak Hooda will have a hard time because Virat Kohli will come in at No. 3. You can try to tell yourself whatever you want, but the truth is that if Kohli is available, he will play.”
He added: “Ravindra Jadeja should replace Axar Patel because he can hit the ball just like Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik.”
Virat Kohli has to fight a battle to prove his worth over the next few months. He got a fifty in his last T20I for India in February, but he had a bad season for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) (RCB).
Ishant Sharma says, “I think Suryakumar Yadav will play both of the remaining games at No. 4 instead of Shreyas Iyer.”
For the rest of the T20I series, Rohit Sharma has a team with a lot more experience.
Players who played in the rescheduled fifth Test against England are now back, making it much harder to choose the team.
Ishant Sharma doesn’t think Shreyas Iyer will get into the playing XI because Hardik Pandya is doing a good job as No. 5 and Suryakumar Yadav is doing a great job in the middle order.
The man, who is 33, said: “I think Suryakumar Yadav will beat Shreyas Iyer in both of the last two matches at the No. 4 spot. Since these are back-to-back games, they might switch out the five new players.”
In the second T20I, India will play England at Edgbaston in Birmingham later today (July 9). The Blue Men are up 1-0 in the three-game series.
