2 changes India might make for Canada clash in T20 World Cup 2024

Chaithanya GulapalaJune 14, 2024Last Updated: June 14, 2024

83 2 minutes read

Team India led by Rohit Sharma won three games on the trot and qualified for the Super 8’s of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Winning all these games weren’t as easy as a pie. The Men in Blue had to work their socks off in the demanding conditions.

They had to use application and technique to go about their work and get the job done. India Bea Ireland by 8 wickets to clinch the first game before they beat Pakistan by six runs in a close encounter. Rohit Sharma and Co got the better of the co-hosts, USA by 7 wickets to advance to the next stage.

The Men in Blue have already done everything right in the first round. As a result, they wouldn’t want to make too many changes in their playing XI in the upcoming game against Canada. However, they might make a couple of changes and let’s take a look at them below.

1. Kuldeep Yadav in for Jasprit Bumrah

The chinaman bowler is yet to make it to the team’s starting XI so far in the shortest format marquee event. However, with Team India already making a statement in the first round, the Indian think-tank should consider bringing him in the mix in place of Jasprit Bumrah.

This move will help Jasprit Bumrah to manage the workload, keeping the Super 8’s in mind. Bumrah has been the in-form bowler for India in the tournament so far with 5 wickets in 3 matches. India would definitely want their premier paceman to rest for the next game.

This will give a window of opportunity for Kuldeep Yadav to weave the magic. The 29-year-old left-arm unorthodox spinner has taken 59 wickets in 35 T20Is at an average of 14.1, laced with 2 fifers.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal in for Axar Patel

The other change that India should be making is they can bring Yuzvendra Chahal in place of Axar Patel. The wrist spinner was surprisingly left out of the squad in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup as he was overlooked by the selectors. Rahul Chahar was preferred ahead of him.

However, this time around, Chahal finally earned a call-up but is yet to play a game in T20 World Cup. Chahal has a truckload of T20 experience under his belt. Overall, he has taken 96 wickets in 80 T20I appearances including a fifer. He maintained a bowling average of 25.1 and an economy rate of 8.20.

Chahal who understands the nuances of the format knows a thing or two about picking up crucial wickets. The Indian think-tank should give him a chance because he is a bigger threat with the ball than Axar Patel. This will also give him confidence going forward in the important phase of the tournament.

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