In the third T20I in Centurion, after India’s three-wicket defeat in Gqeberha that leveled the series at 1-1, there’s a need for some changes. The batting fell short, with the team bowled out for just 124, and while Varun Chakaravarthy’s five-wicket haul kept India in the game, the bowling couldn’t hold till the last over.
Now, how many changes are needed? That will depend on how India views the importance of this series. If they are thinking short-term, they might stick to fewer changes to focus on winning the series trophy at all costs. But if they are thinking with a long-term mindset, they could look to test the bench and give new players some exposure in this high-pressure game, even if the match is not crucial for larger plans. Here are three changes India might consider – they may make one, all, or none, but there’s solid reasoning for each:
#3 Ramandeep Singh in place of Axar Patel
This one could be the most obvious and also the most unlikely change. Axar Patel is a senior player and was a match-winner against South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, which makes him almost undroppable. But after being run out for 27 in the first innings, Axar wasn’t even given enough overs to bowl. Suryakumar Yadav trusted him with just one over, where he conceded only two runs, but despite the game slipping away, Axar didn’t get to bowl again.
The Centurion pitch is likely to favor pacers more than spinners, so Axar may not have much of a role to play here. It might be a good opportunity to rest him and bring in 27-year-old Ramandeep Singh. Known as a powerful finisher, he has played some big cameos for Kolkata Knight Riders with a strike rate above 200. Ramandeep can also bowl decent medium pace and took three wickets in four games for India ‘A’ in the Emerging Asia Cup.
India seemed to be lacking hard-hitters down the order, which Ramandeep can provide. Getting him a few overs in Centurion could be a good start, and might show if he could be a future back-up for Hardik Pandya.
#2 Vijaykumar Vyshak for Ravi Bishnoi or Arshdeep Singh
Another player who got his first India call-up in this series and is eager to debut is Karnataka’s Vijaykumar Vyshak, a right-arm pacer with solid T20 experience. He’s been effective for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, taking 13 wickets in 11 games across two seasons. Vyshak has a variety of deliveries – slower balls, bouncers, and yorkers – and knows how to deliver at key moments.
If Centurion’s pitch looks like it needs an extra pacer, Vyshak could replace leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Even if the pitch looks similar to Sunday’s, India could consider resting Arshdeep Singh to bring in Vyshak. Arshdeep’s spot in the T20 XI seems secure for the future, so this is a good chance to test Vyshak, who also bowls in difficult moments for Karnataka, much like Arshdeep does for India.
#1 Yash Dayal for Avesh Khan or Arshdeep Singh
Avesh Khan has had mixed performances so far in this series. He did well in the first game, taking two wickets for 28 runs, but went wicketless in the second game and leaked runs at the death when India needed to close the game.
If team management assures Avesh that he’ll be supported beyond this series, he could make way for left-arm pacer Yash Dayal. Dayal impressed in the last IPL, swinging the ball in the powerplay and picking crucial wickets at the death, and he has carried that form into domestic cricket.
The 26-year-old would likely enjoy bowling in Centurion, and he’s waited long for his debut after being in several Indian squads without game time. If India prefers to persist with Avesh, Dayal could replace Arshdeep, though he might be a better pick than Vyshak given the conditions.
These are three potential changes for India, considering both tactical adjustments and long-term planning. It’ll be interesting to see how many, if any, they go ahead with!
