Aakash Chopra, a former Indian player, has suggested one change that India's starting lineup should undergo for the third T20I against England. He believed that a three-pronged spin onslaught would be too much for the visitors to sustain.
On Tuesday, July 7, Trent Bridge in Nottingham will host the third T20I of India and England's five-match series. After the first game resulted in a no-result owing to rain, the hosts won the second game by four wickets, taking a 1-0 series lead.
At Trent Bridge, Chopra admitted that the spinners had done better than the pacers. But he believed that Ravi Bishnoi would have to be excluded from the starting lineup.
"Interestingly, the pace-bowling numbers aren't that good at Trent Bridge. The spinners' average is 21.4, and it's nearly 28 for the pacers. So the spinners are doing well. We have a trio, but the trio won't play. Even though Trent Bridge's numbers say spinners do well, I feel Ravi Bishnoi will have to be made to sit out," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra opted for Prince Yadav ahead of Washington Sundar, given Yadav’s pace will be better suited for India in the powerplay overs.
"You will play with only Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel. There won't be a place for Washi as well. Get Prince Yadav. The ball swings a little at the start in the Powerplay for sure. So use him there and pick up wickets. The story would become slightly easier if you made the Powerplay in your name. I am recommending just one change," he added.
According to Aakash Chopra, the Indian and English spinners could engage in a thrilling match in the third T20I.
"If there is even slight help for spin, they have Adil Rashid and Will Jacks, and we have Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy. This could be a wonderful matchup. It's a beautiful story, and Varun Chakaravarthy vs England's middle order could also be a good story because Harry Brook is fighting his own battle," he said.
Chopra went on to say that Shreyas Iyer would be looking to record his maiden victory as India's T20I captain, while Harry Brook will attempt to get the most out of his batting order.
"The battle is about how to stay relevant in the clash and keep winning games even though their batting order is not in great form. Harry Brook is trying to create his own legacy, and Shreyas Iyer hasn't won a single game as a captain thus far. This is not a great thing. You need to put the record straight and start winning," Chopra observed.
Aakash Chopra's India playing XI for 3rd T20I:
Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
