SL vs IND 2024: 3 changes Team India might make in third T20I against Sri Lanka

Team India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t have asked for a better and complete performance from his players in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue won the first T20I by 43 runs in Pallekele to take the first lead in the series.

The visitors once again got the better of the hosts in the second T20I by 7 wickets. In a rain-curtailed encounter, when the DLS method came into the picture, Sri Lanka set up a target of 78. Meanwhile, Team India chased down the target without any fuss in 6.3 overs to clinch the series by 2-0.

The third and final game will be played at the same venue on July 30, Tuesday. Now that India have won the series already, the think-tank will be looking forward to testing their bench strength. Let’s take a look at three changes the tourists might make in the dead rubber against the hosts.

1. Washington Sundar in for Axar Patel

The 24-year-old was touted to be a sure starter for the Sri Lanka T20Is, especially after his bowling masterclass in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer who featured in all games against Zimbabwe, accounted for eight dismissals.

Notably, he finished the series as the joint highest wicket-taker and rightfully, deserved the Player of the Series award. Nevertheless, he didn’t get an opportunity to feature against Sri Lanka, despite the fact that he is the leading wicket-taker against the opponent in Sri Lanka (8 wickets) in the current T20I squad.

There is a distinct possibility that Washington Sundar might be called upon to feature in the dead rubber against the hosts in Pallekele. He might replace Axar Patel in the starting XI.

Read more: SL vs IND 2024: India’s predicted XI for Sri Lanka T20Is