India and New Zealand will square off in the 3rd and the final T20I of the series on Wednesday (February 1). The fixture will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The series is levelled 1-1 and the winner of the contest will win the series. India whitewashed NZ 3-0 in the ODI series but they haven’t quite dominated the proceedings in T20Is.
Ahead of the 3rd T20I, India have released pacer Mukesh Kumar from the squad. The right-arm pacer is uncapped in international cricket and his wait to play for India has been extended. Mukesh joined the Bengal cricket team before the quarter-final of the ongoing Ranji Trophy fixture against Jharkhand and is part of the final XI.
The 29-year-old scalped three wickets in Jharkhand’s first innings and played a key role in bundling them out for a total of 173. Akash Deep did the maximum damage and dismissed four batters while Ishan Porel scalped one wicket.
Mukesh has been part of ODI and T20I squads but is yet to earn a Test call-up. His form in Ranji Trophy can see him break into the red-ball team as well. Mukesh has represented India A in unofficial Test matches.
India’s pace attack likely to remain unchanged
With Mukesh released, India’s pace attack is likely to remain unchanged for the 3rd T20I. Umran Malik was dropped from the playing XI for the 2nd T20I and is likely to remain on the bench. Hardik Pandya will continue to lead the pace attack and will be assisted by Shivam Mavi and Arshdeep Singh.
With Lucknow pitch assisting spinners more, Arshdeep and Shivam jointly bowled 3 overs while Pandya completed his spell of four overs in the 2nd T20I. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to retain their spots in the final XI for the series-decider. India legend Sachin Tendulkar will be in attendance during the much-awaited fixture.
