IND vs SL 3rd T20I: Tactical changes Team India might make

Virat Kohli’s men recorded a comprehensive victory against Sri Lanka in the IND vs SL 2nd T20I after the 1^st match of the series was washed out due to poor pitch conditions.
We look at the possible change that Virat might make in the 3^rd T20I

Settled opening pair

India opened with KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan in the 2^nd T20I which clicked really well. Once Rohit was rested, it was always an easy choice for the team management to send the next two openers on the pipeline.

Both Rahul and Dhawan played their parts although Dhawan looked out of sorts as he has been in the last year or so in this format of the game, his competitor Rahul continued his impressive form. The audition will again continue in the 3^rd T20I for the 2^nd opener as there won’t be any change there

Settled middle-order

India finished the game well inside 18 overs and there were some handy contributions from Shreyas Iyer who was promoted to No. 3 and he responded well and gave good company to the skipper who himself ended the match with a six and remained unbeaten on 30. There will also be no doubt about Pant’s place in the team. There are no changes expected in this department as well.

Yuzvendra Chahal for Kuldeep Yadav

India bowled brilliantly in the 2^nd T20I and never allowed Sri Lanka to get to a near decent total on a batting paradise. Yuzvendra Chahal is one bowler who cannot be kept on the bench for long and India might be tempted to give him a go in place of Kuldeep who himself has been bowling well. Virat loves to play the mind games with the opposition as he might throw in a surprise by playing Chahal ahead of Kuldeep in a crucial series decider just like he did against Australia in a series decider in Australia last summer, when he played Chahal in the 3^rd one day after not playing him in the first 2 games and he finished with a six-fer that game.

Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar might just keep their place

The all-rounders Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar might just keep their respective place in the playing XI in a crucial game. Although a quality all-rounder like Jadeja is waiting in the wings, Washington Sundar just gives the control with the ball that Virat needs both with the new ball and in the middle overs which might go in his favor. ShivamDube hasn’t got enough opportunities with the bat and played well in the only game against West Indies when he was promoted to No.3 where he got his maiden 50.

Pune will host the 3^rd T20I on Friday.