IND vs SA: 3 changes India should make for third T20I against South Africa

IND vs SA: India are all set to face South Africa in the 3rd T20I of the five-match series on Tuesday at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.

India are in a desperate situation after losing the first two games as another loss will seal the fate of the series and it is a must-win game for the Men in Blue. South Africa won the first two games by seven wickets and four wickets, respectively.

While India’s bowling hasn’t been up to the mark in the first two matches, their batting also disappointed in the 2nd game. Let’s take a look at three changes India could make in the 3rd IND vs SA T20I to register their first win of the series.

Bring in Venkatesh Iyer as an opener in place of Ruturaj Gaikwad

Undoubtedly, Ruturaj Gaikwad is a class player but the right-hander hasn’t been able to bring his IPL and domestic form to international cricket. Gaikwad has failed to impress in the first two games as the opener has only scored 24 runs in the first two games. Ruturaj has played 5 international T20 games for India and he has only managed 63 runs in 5 matches.

India could experiment with giving Venkatesh Iyer a chance at the top as the left-handed all-rounder could provide India with an explosive start at the top alongside Ishan Kishan. Iyer wasn’t in best of the form in the IPL but he carries a strike rate of over 162 in 9 T20Is for India.

Play Arshdeep Singh in place of Avesh Khan

While Avesh Khan was economical in the 2nd game, he is yet to take a wicket in the series after playing the first two matches. While India have a chance to play Umran Malik, the express pacer is not a decent new-ball bowler.

India need a pacer to partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar upfront, hence, Arshdeep Singh is a better option considering he has proved his worth in the IPL in the last couple of overs. Also, the Punjab pacer will add an extra variety to the Indian pace attack with his left-arm angle in the IND vs SA 3rd T20I.

Drop Axar Patel for Ravi Bishnoi

Axar Patel has failed to make a major contribution in the first two games. The left-arm all-rounder has scored 10 runs in the only chance he got to bat, while he has accounted for only a single wicket in two matches at a very expensive economy rate of 11.80.

Ravi Bishnoi has been a terrific bowler since his debut for India. The young leggie has bagged four wickets in four games he has played in national colors. Moreover, Bishnoi is carrying a brilliant economy rate of 6.75 in his brief T20I career.