After a defeat in the 1st T20I against Australia in Vizag, India look set to make changes in their squad for the second game which is a must-win tie for the home side. While there might not be any change in the batting line-up, there will surely be a change or two in the bowling department.
Former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja has also predicted few changes in the playing XI and as per him, Rohit Sharma could be given a rest. Apart from that, he also predicted that Siddarth Kaul will also be a part of the playing XI.
“Maybe Rohit gets a rest. Not because of his performance. Kohli sticks to three. Rishabh Pant had one game, MS Dhoni had one game, Krunal Pandya has just come in. Vijay Shankar is someone who played at No.3 in Kohli’s absence, but now he is not there in the side. Siddarth Kaul will certainly get a game and Umesh will be rested. Jasprit Bumrah will play, Yuzvendra Chahal will play and Markande will play. So either of Pant or Karthik will be rested for Shankar,” he told Cricbuzz.
While it is unlikely that Rohit will be rested for the second T20I, it remains to be seen if Shikhar Dawan returns back to the playing XI.
The left-handed batsman was rested for the first game of the series. In his absence, KL Rahul returned back into playing XI and also scored a half-century.
He is expected to be given another match as an opener, which will mean that Dhawan might sit out again.
Umesh Yadav also looks set to be replaced in the playing XI with Siddarth Kaul coming in. He was a part of the T20I series against New Zealand as well but did not get a chance.
Kaul is also a part of the squad for first two ODIs but will be replaced by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the last three ODIs. Other than these two changes, no other changes are expected in the playing XI.
Australia are leading in the series by a margin of 1-0 and have already gained an unassailable lead. India will have to win the next T20I to avoid a series defeat.
In the first game, Man of the Match Nathan-Coulter Nile and Glenn Mawell made the difference for the visitors.
Coulter Nile bagged a three-fer while Maxwell scored 56 off 43 to play a match-winning knock before Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins won the game for their side in the final over.