India and New Zealand will face each other in the third and final T20I of the three-match series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match promises to be an enthralling one, with the series level at 1:1 after two entertaining clashes so far.
After being humiliated 3-0 in the ODI series, New Zealand salvaged some pride by winning the first T20I by 21 runs at the Jharkand Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi, but the hosts responded strongly by winning a low-scoring thriller by six wickets in Lucknow
While India managed to keep the series alive by emerging victorious in Lucknow, their performances, especially in the batting department, were disappointing. Ishan Kishan‘s place could come under serious doubt due to his dismal form in recent times, which has seen him make just 199 runs in the last 13 matches at a dismal average of 15.30. However, his all-round ability as a wicketkeeper could be enough to retain his place, with India’s back-up gloveman being Jitesh Sharma, who will find it tough to break into the middle order.
Elsehwere, Shubman Gill’s ODI brilliance has not translated into T20I cricket. So far, he has just 76 runs in five games, and the team will be tempted to give Prithvi Shaw a go. Shaw’s wait on the sidelines could come to an end, and a rest could do Gill well before the Test series against Australia.
Unless, India finds another spin-bowling paradise in Ahmedabad like they did in Lucknow, Umran Malik should return into the line-up and take Yuzendra Chahal’s place.
Rahul Tripathi is another player who could be sweating on his place. Having just played four games so far, he should be given another chance in India’s last T20I before the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
India’s predicted playing XI: Pritvhi Shaw, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Hardik Pandya (C), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh.
