With a comfortable seven-wicket win against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series already in the bag, Team India has come far in its aim to leave no stone unturned in clinching the T20I series. Having already dispatched the visitors in the first match of this T20I series, the Men in Blue have the luxury of playing with a free hand in the third and final match of the series.
While the result in this series is already set in stone, there are reasons for Team India to utilize the dead rubber to try out newbies in order to prepare for more demanding international assignments.
Here are three tactical changes Team India should consider making for the final match against Afghanistan:
1. Yash Thakur in for Jasprit Bumrah
Having just come back from an injury layoff, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has shouldered the bowling responsibility in two intense games in three days. Given that there is just about a day to prepare for the series finale, it wouldn't make sense to risk Bumrah's premier fast bowler in a dead rubber. It will give Bumrah a well-deserved rest to keep fit for future assignments and open the door for Yash Thakur to step up in his third international appearance. Eager to get his third cap, Yash would relish the opportunity to lead the pace attack in tandem with Arshdeep Singh.
Also read: Vipraj Nigam Replaces Injured Varun Chakravarthy In India's Team
2. Washington Sundar in for Axar Patel
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel has done nothing wrong, bowling all his quota of overs, but his batting talents in the number 8 position have gone largely unutilised. While Axar takes the strike, the team management can give an eye-opener to off-spinner Washington Sundar to test out against the heavy dosage of Afghanistan's right-handers. It will also be a much-needed return to form for Sundar, who is looking for game time after months away from the game due to injury.
3. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in for Abhishek Sharma
Having just hit a fluent half-century in Delhi, Sanju's place at the top is secured for now. It leaves opening partner Abhishek Sharma, a mainstay in the T20 setup for years, as a prime candidate for a tactical rest. Handing a debut to young prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would be a fitting statement to stake a claim at the top of the order. While Abhishek's lack of exposure in other formats may make the management hesitant to sit out, he needs a breather before the next grueling assignment.