'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Team India have been at their dominant best against Bangladesh to kickstart their home season. They first completed a 2-0 sweep in the Test series, and are on the verge of completing a whitewash in the T20I series as well.
After sealing their 16th consecutive series win at home, the priority would now be to test the bench strength as the same 11 members played the first set of matches.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has guided the team to two complete performances to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead, and would be pondering to make changes to the set combination to challenge themselves, as well as hand out opportunities in the road to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate indicated that Sanju Samson is likely to get another chance at the top of the order despite his poor returns in the series so far. With the squad not including a reserve opener, that is likely to be the plan. However, one can expect a host of changes when it comes to the bowling department.
On that note, let us take a look at the three changes India can make for 3rd T20I vs Bangladesh.
#1 Harshit Rana for Mayank Yadav
The one change that both Indian fans, and more specifically, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are anxiously awaiting. The right-arm pacer has been on the rise, with a solid Duleep Trophy campaign being the latest milestone in his journey. He received his maiden call-up for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, but failed to register an appearance.
Now, with a favorable scoreline and Mayank Yadav's workload, the pathway is clear for Harshit Rana to make his debut. The former has played two matches in the series after coming off an injury, and with the long-term plan in mind for the speedster, he is likely to be rested.
#2 Ravi Bishnoi for Varun Chakravarthy
Ravi Bishnoi, who held the No.1 ranking for T20I bowlers not so long ago, has had a bleak patch of late. A mediocre IPL 2024 season, followed by a snub in the World Cup squad dragged him back a few paces. The leg-spinner did make up for it with a set of solid performances during the Sri Lanka tour, but could not make it into the playing XI for the Bangladesh series.
The returning Varun Chakravarthy was preferred, and the mystery spinner justified his unexpected call-up. However, having had his opportunities, he might have to pave way for Bishnoi, who deserves a chance to prove his worth and remain in the hunt.
#3 Jitesh Sharma for Hardik Pandya
Team India boasted their bowling prowess in terms of options by using seven bowling options in the second T20I. The surprising fact was that Pandya was not among the seven candidates. In fact, apart from Samson, each member of that playing XI was capable of rolling their arm over, including skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
As a result, Hardik Pandya's role was purely as a finisher with the bat. Keeping that particular role in mind, Jitesh Sharma comes across as a like-to-like replacement. The wicketkeeper-batter is capable of playing anywhere in the middle order, and had a decent run in national colors prior to Rishabh Pant's return.
With KL Rahul seemingly not in the scheme of things and Samson's inconsistency, the spot for Team India's back-up wicketkeeper slot is up for grabs, and Sharma deserves an opportunity to put his name in the hat.
