Table of Contents
The India National Cricket Team has already lost the five-match T20I series against England, and with only one match left, many former cricketers want the team management to try a different playing XI. After England's dominant nine-wicket win in the fourth T20I at Bristol, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has suggested making some bold changes for the final match in Southampton.
The last game of the ongoing T20I series may not change the result, but it is still an important chance for India to test players and finish the tour on a positive note. Parthiv believes the team should not continue with the same combination after their embarrassing performances. Earlier, MSK Prasad explains Sanju Samson's omission from Zimbabwe tour.
Parthiv Patel wants India to drops Tilak Varma for Sanju Samson
Parthiv Patel has, as expected, demanded the return of Sanju Samson into India’s playing XI for the fifth and final T20I against England in Southampton on July 11. The wicketkeeper-batter failed to deliver in Ireland and then in the first T20I against England and was dropped from the team.
Even after being left out, Parthiv feels Samson deserves another chance because India needs to look at different combinations before the upcoming three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe later this month. He pointed out that if Samson returns to the team, Tilak Varma should sit out.
Parthiv Patel said on JioHotStar, "It's difficult. You would obviously ask that if Sanju Samson has to come into the team, in whose place should he come? I would actually make two changes. One is that I would give Suryansh Shedge a spot in the team in place of Washington Sundar so that you have four bowlers, and Shivam Dube and Shedge can bowl two overs apiece for you.”
Parthiv Patel suggests two big changes for final T20I
He stressed that every player can go through a difficult phase, and sometimes one change can improve the overall combination, and Tilak has also struggled throughout the England series. In the fourth T20I, he scored only 11 runs from eight balls before getting out.
Overall, he has not been able to play the match-winning innings that the team expected from him. Parthiv also thinks the young all-rounder Suryansh Shedge should replace Washington Sundar in the playing XI for the final T20I. This move will allow India to play four specialist bowlers. Amid this, Mohammad Kaif surprised by Tilak Varma's inability to play spin.
The former India wicketkeeper-batter added, “In whose place will Sanju Samson come? Unfortunately, I feel the vice-captain will have to be dropped because, if you want the combination, Sanju Samson can come in place of Tilak Varma.”
Parthiv Patel backs Sanju Samson's return despite supporting Tilak Varma
However, Parthiv made it clear that dropping Tilak for one match should not be seen as a long-term decision. He still believes Tilak is an important player for India's future and has the talent to bounce back strongly, but for the final T20I, he wants Samson to make a comeback.
He signed off by saying, “Axar Patel was the vice-captain in the World Cup, and he also sat outside in the South Africa match. If the combination isn't getting set, so be it. That doesn't mean Tilak Varma will be out of your thinking or plans, but short-term, for this match, I would like to bring in Sanju Samson for Tilak Varma.”
