Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to make his T20I debut for the Indian cricket team as they aim to strengthen their batting lineup in the upcoming match against the West Indies. The Indian team is currently on the verge of losing their first bilateral T20 series in the past two years, and they are looking to address a few issues in their playing XI to turn things around.
One of the key issues that India needs to resolve is the lack of offensive firepower in their batting. In the previous two T20 matches, Tilak Varma has been the only standout performer with the bat for India. Therefore, the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had an impressive debut Test season, is expected to bolster India’s batting roster.
To accommodate Jaiswal at the top of the order, changes will need to be made in the opening combination. Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, who have been underperforming, might be replaced. Gill has recorded scores of only 3 and 7 in the opening stands of the previous matches, leading to low totals of 5 and 16 respectively.
Considering this, Ishan Kishan could either be benched or dropped down the batting order. Despite Varma’s success at number four and Suryakumar Yadav’s struggle to find his rhythm, Ishan might be utilized as a floating batsman. If Ishan remains in the playing XI, Mukesh Kumar is likely to be replaced.
Given the strong performances of the spin and slower bowlers in the previous matches, it is expected that only three spinners will be required. However, if India decides to field five bowlers, both Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel will have to bowl their full four-over quota. In the first T20 match, Axar had only bowled two overs.
India’s batting lineup needs improvement to avoid a rare series loss. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been sitting on the bench, has witnessed the struggles of the opening duo firsthand. With limited options on the bench, Ishan Kishan will have to either give up his position or move down the order.
In terms of the team’s bowling department, Hardik Pandya has been performing well as the leading seam bowler. However, inconsistency has been observed from both Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar. Therefore, Mukesh Kumar might make way for Ishan or Avesh Khan.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi are expected to be the two leg-spinners while Kuldeep Yadav recovers from a thumb injury. The final playing XI for the third T20 match against the West Indies is as follows: Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (captain), Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav (injured), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan.
India will be hoping that the changes in the playing XI will provide the much-needed boost to their batting and help them secure a victory to avoid a series loss. The match will be crucial for players like Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer, as they aim to impress the selectors ahead of the Asia Cup in 2023.
