India vs Bangladesh 2019: 3rd T20I, Nagpur - India's Predicted Playing XI

India and Bangladesh will lock horns in the third and the final T20I in Nagpur. Bangladesh delivered the first punch with their brilliant show in Delhi in the 1st T20I but the home team made a comeback in Rajkot, courtesy superlative batting display from captain Rohit Sharma. The win also meant that the series was equalled and both the teams have everything to play for in the final T20I.

If India win, they will continue their winning run over Bangladesh but if the visitors win, then this will be the first time when they will defeat India in a T20I series. Ahead of the decider, here’s a look at likely playing XI of the Indian team and if Rohit will make any changes in the combination –

Rohit Sharma –

Rohit will continue to open the innings in the final T20I. He shone with the bat the second T20I and scored 85 to lead India to a comprehensive win. India’s white-ball vice-captain will hope to continue his form in the third T20I.

Shikhar Dhawan –

The left-handed batsman got starts in both the T20Is and will get another opportunity in the series. Dhawan scored 31 of 27 in the second T20I and batted under the shadow of Rohit, who took the charge. Still, it can be said that he is running out of time and will have to work on his strike-rate to keep his place in the shortest format.

KL Rahul –

He didn’t have much to do in the second T20I but will have to make sure that he does well in the final T20I as Virat Kohli will be back at number three when he returns. Hence, Rahul has to make sure that he bats well and keeps his spot even when the captain returns.

Shreyas Iyer –

His approach in both the T20Is has been lauded by everyone and Iyer, who waited for more than a year for a consistent run, will continue to bat at four. Given Rahul’s experience, he should have kept his spot ahead of Iyer but the latter’s batting has seen him become the favourite of team management.

Rishabh Pant –

He will continue to keep wickets in the series. Sanju Samson is an option in the side but it is unlikely that he will be given a chance. Rishabh has come under the scanner for his shot selection of late but is still a regular member of the playing XI in white-ball cricket.

Krunal Pandya –

Given Nagpur’s slow pitch, Pandya should continue to be part of playing XI. Since his debut, he has been one of the top performers for India in T20Is but his performances have not been up to the mark in the ongoing T20I series. Pandya is likely to be given another chance to make a comeback.

Washington Sundar –

The off-spinner has done well with the ball and will hope to contribute with the bat as well if an opportunity comes. Sundar remains to be the front-runner for the all-rounder’s spot.

Rahul Chahar –

The leg-spinner is in line to replace Shivam Dube in the playing XI. Chahar might be preferred over the Mumbaikar due to Nagpur’s pitch. Teams do not shy away from playing more than two tegular spinners in Nagpur and Chahar’s addition will further bolster the team’s spin department.

Yuzvendra Chahal –

The leg-spinner has done well in the series so far and answered selectors that he deserves a fixed spot in the T20I team. He scalped two wickets in the previous match.

Deepak Chahar –

The right-arm pacer will continue to lead the pace attack. Though he has not been able to churn out oodles of wickets but has been consistent with his bowling. The nature of Nagpur track will not assist pacers and the best Chahar would like to do is to keep the batsmen under check.

Shardul Thakur –

He is expected to replace Khaleel Ahmed for the final T20I. The latter has struggled in the series so far and should make way for Thakur. It will be an opportunity for Thakur to do well and keep his spot for the upcoming fixtures.