Yuzvendra Chahal was the most expensive bowler for India in the first T20I against Sri Lanka.
Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t have a good outing during Team India’s 2-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I at the Wankhede Stadium on January 3, and it might result in him losing his place in the playing XI for the second T20I to be played on Thursday (January 5) in Pune.
Notably, Chahal was the most expensive bowler for India in the first T20I, conceding 26 runs in two overs at an economy rate of 13. Given his poor outing, the hosts might replace Chahal with the spin all-rounder Washington Sundar for the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pune.
Speaking about this prospect, former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer said that bringing in Sundar in place of Chahal would be a brave call, as he feels there should be a wrist spinner in the playing XI in T20Is.
Wasim Jaffer was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo: “Dropping Yuzvendra Chahal for Washington Sundar would be a huge call since I believe there should be a wrist spinner in the playing XI.”
He added, “Even though Sundar provides balance to the side because of his batting as well as his powerplay bowling, I don't think that a bowler like Chahal, who has delivered time and again, will be dropped after one bad outing. I think it is too early to consider making that change.”
Meanwhile, Jaffer believes that Arshdeep Singh can replace Harshal Patel in India's XI for the second T20I against Sri Lanka if the star pacer recovers from his illness.
He signed off by saying, “If Arshdeep is available, then I think he will be back in the playing XI. Maybe he will get a chance in place of Harshal Patel. The first T20I was not a good one for Harshal Patel. But apart from that, I do not see any other changes to the playing XI.”