IND vs SL: India’s tour of Sri Lanka has been an exciting contest, as India has already sealed the series and proved that they are the reigning World Champions. India is playing under new head coach Gautam Gambhir and recently appointed Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
The first two T20Is have gone in favor of the Indian side, which saw its greats retiring after their World Cup triumph. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Riyan Parag, and Ravi Bishnoi have been India’s star players in the series, and now Gambhir might favor his benched players to test the caliber of his bench.
3 Experimental Changes Gambhir might Look to Make in the 3rd T20I
Shivam Dube
India might include the likes of World Cup campaigner Shivam Dube and rest Hardik Pandya for the last T20I. This move would be made to give Dube some game time ahead of the ODI series. This would also test Dube’s bowling prowess and relieve Pandya of extra stress as he has had a long season since the IPL.
Shivam Dube might hence be brought in place of the terrific Pandya, who won the match for India with the bat after picking two wickets early on. Shivam Dube. The big left-handed all-rounder is a clean hitter of the cricket ball, while his bowling skills will be tested highly if he is called in for India.
Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel, the lanky left-arm pacer from Delhi Capitals, was picked for the Indian side even as a World Cup reserve in the United States after his stunning show for the Capitals in IPL 2024. Known for his ability to swing the ball on both sides and landing variations, which often take the batters by surprise, he can be seen replacing Arshdeep Singh.
Gambhir, who might not be very impressed with Siraj’s antics in the game, might look to feature Khaleel in place of him as well.
Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar has been part of the part of the Indian team since long, as he has also picked 50 wickets in the shortest format. If Sanju Samson is given the role with the gloves, then even Pant can be dropped for the game, as Sundar might replace him with India coming to play alongside three spinners.
Sundar, who was the Player of the Series in the Zimbabwe tour, can also replace the likes of World Cup winner Axar Patel or be the substitute option in place of Ravi Bishnoi, who has been a special bowler in the series so far.