Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer (Credits: KXIP Twitter)

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has named India’s playing XI for the third T20I against Sri Lanka to be played in Rajkot on January 7. The series is tied at 1-1 after The Men in Blue won the first T20I and the Lankans came back to win the second T20I. The third T20I is nicely poised for a fitting finish between the two sides.

Indian opener Shubman Gill has not found a place in Jaffer’s XI. He did not score in the first two T20Is. He made his debut in Mumbai scoring just two runs and scoring just five in the second T20I in Pune. On both occasions, he was the mode of dismissals were rather ordinary. He was LBW to Maheesh Theekshana in the first T20I. He fell to a mistimed shot from Kasun Rajitha in the second T20I.

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Shubman Gill Hasn’t Been In Great Touch In First 2 Games: Wasim Jaffer

Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill (Image Credits: Twitter)

Heading into the decider in Rajkot, Wasim Jaffer wants Shubman Gill to be dropped from the playing XI. Instead, he wants Ruturaj Gaikwad to be a part of the playing XI. Gaikwad was in impeccable form for Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy – India’s domestic 50-overs tournament – scoring five hundreds including a double century in just 5 matches in the 2022 season. He ended the season with 660 runs in five games at an average of 220.00 making him the second-highest run-getter in the tournament.

I Will Be Tempted To Play Ruturaj Gaikwad: Wasim Jaffer

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad. Pic Credits: Twitter.

“I think Ruturaj Gaikwad should get a chance. He has scored a lot of runs (in domestic cricket). He was outstanding in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, hasn’t been in great touch in the previous two matches. He has been disappointing. I will be tempted to play Ruturaj Gaikwad. He has been warming the benches for quite some time now,” Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo.

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Will Back Arshdeep Singh Even Though He Had A Forgetful 2nd T20I: Wasim Jaffer

Arshdeep SinghHardik Pandya And Arshdeep Singh
Hardik Pandya And Arshdeep Singh (PC-Getty Images)

Jaffer further said that India does not need to change the bowling lineup heading into the contest. Arshdeep Singh created an unwanted world record as he bowled five front-foot no-balls in the second T20I. The no-balls accumulated for more than 20 runs overall in the contest. In the end, he bowled just two overs going for 37 runs.

“In the bowling department, I will back Arshdeep Singh even though he had a forgetful day (in the 2nd T20I). You need to back him in this situation so that his confidence doesn’t take a further hit. Apart from the one change in the batting department, I don’t see any other changes in the XI,” he added.

Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 206/6 in their 20 overs. India in response, reached 190/8 after late-order hitting from Suryakumar Yadav (51) and Axar Patel (65). In the end, Dasun Shanaka’s 65 turned out to be the difference between the two teams.

Also Read: IND vs SL Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s Match Between India And Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka Tour Of India 2023, 3rd T20I

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Anshuman Roy is an author at Cricketaddictor. He has been working with the organization since January 2022 and he has written more than 6000 articles for the website.