IND vs AFG: Suresh Raina Reveals The One Change That Team India Will Make In The 2nd T20I

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina expects India to make a couple of changes in their playing XI for the second T20I against Afghanistan on Sunday. He analyzed that the Men in Blue might need to play an extra fast bowler as Shivam Dube could find it difficult to be the third seamer on a small ground in Indore. The dimensions are very small in Indore which will attract a lot of big hitting in the second T20I.

The Men in Blue thrashed Afghanistan by six wickets to register a convincing win in the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali. They were without the services of Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the former opted out of the first T20I due to personal reasons whereas the latter suffered a sore right groin. Suresh Raina shares his opinion on what should be the ideal strategy for India in the second T20I.

Suresh Raina was asked during a discussion on JioCinema whether Kuldeep Yadav could get a place in India’s playing XI. He responded, “He can play. (Ravi) Bishnoi had a slightly bad day. It might be because of the dew. Both Kuldeep and he might play. Washi (Washington Sundar) also bowled well. I feel only Virat (Kohli) might come in. An additional fast bowler might play because, as (Pragyan) Ojha said, it is a small ground.”

“Playing more spinners might be taking a chance. So Avesh Khan can play in place of Washi because we have a very lengthy batting lineup. I feel an extra fast bowler will come because it will be challenging for Shivam Dube to be the third fast bowler. He can be the fourth along with three fast bowlers,” Suresh Raina added.

Suresh Raina Reckons Shivam Dube Will Struggle To Bowl In Indore

Shivam Dube bowled decently in the first T20I and registered a figure of 1/9 in his spell of two overs taking the wicket of Afghanistan’s skipper Ibrahim Zadran. However, he was primarily used when the visitors were under pressure. Shivam Dube might struggle when the batters bat in Indore during the second T20I where conditions are favourable for the batters.

Suresh Raina was further asked about Yashasvi Jaiswal getting his place in the playing XI straightaway as he recovers. He replied, “It’s just a two-day gap. A groin injury can aggravate. You need to do pool sessions and get some massage done. You will have to do a little strengthening. It was cold (in the first game), so it could have gotten aggravated. When Virat Kohli comes in Indore, Tilak (Varma) has done well. So he should be given all three matches.”

Pragyan Ojha was asked if he too expects Avesh Khan to be in India’s playing XI, considering he is a local boy. He responded, “It’s not because he is a local boy but because of the conditions. As we discussed, it’s a small ground and won’t be that spin-friendly. So the thinking will definitely be to play an extra fast bowler. So Avesh Khan will get a chance because there will be a temptation to play a fast bowler.”

Avesh Khan is the only specialist seamer in the squad apart from Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar who played in the first T20I. He would be hoping to get an opportunity in the second T20I so that he can showcase his prowess on his home ground. The Indore-based seamer has played 19 T20Is and has managed to take 18 wickets.