The third T20I is scheduled for October 27 in Wellington.
Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra explained why India should not change their team combination to bring in a specialist spinner like Varun Chakaravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav for the third T20I against New Zealand, scheduled for Tuesday (October 27) in Wellington.
Chopra noted that during the previous matches at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch), he had strongly advocated for playing a specialist spinner because the surface was heavily used, hosting two T20Is in three days.
With the series shifting to Hnry Stadium in Wellington for a single standalone game, Chopra changed his stance. He pointed out that this fresh pitch traditionally assists fast bowlers, meaning India will dynamically require a three-pronged pace attack rather than an extra specialist spinner.
Chopra also advised the team management against tweaking the pace-bowling combination by replacing Prince Yadav with Mayank Yadav as he wants India to stick with the winning playing XI.
"I was crying out till the previous match to play a spinner, as it was a used surface, there were two matches in three days, and the Hagley Oval was a big ground. However, I won't be able to say that now because there is only one game in Wellington. It's a pitch where there would be a little help for the fast bowlers. So I am not going to say that Varun (Chakaravarthy) or Kuldeep (Yadav) should be played," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"You won't be able to play them because you can't make anyone sit out. You will need three fast bowlers here. One spinner might just be enough. I don't think there is any scope or need for a change. I see Prince Yadav playing because you won't alternate between Mayank and Prince. If you do that, it won't be good for both of them. However, I won't be surprised if Mayank plays," he added.
Aakash Chopra also called for teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be given an opportunity to open the innings. He argued that bi-lateral series are meant for building player confidence and testing squad depth rather than strictly sticking to set combinations as if it were a World Cup tournament.
Sooryavanshi was slotted into an unfamiliar No. 3 position after injury ruled Ishan Kishan out of the second T20I. The 15-year-old struggled to time the ball before getting dismissed for 4 runs off 8 deliveries.
"In the batting order, I would say once again, please make Vaibhav open. I understand that you don't want to mess with the ongoing good opening combination, but neither is this the World Cup nor is the World Cup going to happen in two months," Chopra opined.
"You are preparing players here and trying to take the team forward. You won't get a better chance than this. We have anyway made Vaibhav sit on the bench for so long that you start wondering how his confidence would be. In such a scenario, it's a little difficult to remain in form for long. Now that he is getting a chance to play, please let him open," he further remarked.
With Kishan yet to recover from a low-grade right adductor strain sustained during the series opener, Sooryavanshi is likely to feature in the playing XI for the third T20I as well.