Will Team India make any changes to their playing XI for the 3rd T20I vs Ireland?
Team India take on Ireland at The Village in Dublin on Wednesday in the third and final T20I of the series. The game will effectively be a dead rubber, as the Men in Blue clinched the series by winning the first two games.
India beat Ireland by two runs (via the D/L method) in the opening T20I in a rain-marred encounter. They then came up with a clinical performance to seal the series with a 33-run win in the second game. With the series in the bag, the Men in Blue will look to experiment a bit and give players who haven’t featured in the first two games a chance to impress.
The Men in Blue have been open to experimentation recently, even in must-win games. However, that's unlikely to happen this time. Ahead of the third T20I, India’s coach for the tour, Sitanshu Kotak, said that since fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna are returning from injury, they need more game time.
“They were at the National Cricket Academy for their RTPs (return to play) and strength and all. They are very smart. They never looked like they did not get a game, or were out of practice. They looked ready in practice," Kotak said.
“It is just that these guys need more game time before the World Cup. They will get three games in this series and (also) a few matches in the Asia Cup,” he added.
Elaborating on the possibility of changes in the playing XI for the final T20I of the series against Ireland, Kotak said:
“We will discuss the team, but if there is a possibility of giving them an opportunity, we will give."
Bumrah-led Team India went into the first two T20Is of the series with the same playing XI.
“Do not think you can change a player technically during a series” - India coach on Tilak Varma
Young Team India batter Tilak Varma made a sensational T20I debut in the series in West Indies.
He finished as the leading run-getter for India with 173 runs in five games at an average of 57.67 and a strike rate of 140.65. However, he has registered scores of 0 and 1 in the two T20Is in Ireland.
Asked about his interaction with the left-hander, Kotak said that they spoke about mindset and shot selection.
“He just wanted to practice. He talked about his mindset, his shot selection, and it was a normal discussion on what I think and what his plans are. On tours, if anything, we talk more about tactics. He spoke about how to build his innings and how he should approach the last game,” the Indian coach explained.
“We do not speak much on technical aspects unless the player requires it and provided there is enough time. I do not think you can change a player technically during a series, within a week or two-three days,” he added.
Varma will be part of the Asia Cup, having been named in the 17-member squad that was announced on Monday.