India’s Predicted Playing XI for 3rd T20I against West Indies

With the series already in the bag, India will take on the West Indies in the 3rd and final T20I of the series at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on 20th February 2022. The Indian players held their nerve in the 2nd T20I to win the contest by a slender margin of 8 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

India will also be without their regulars Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli for this match, as both these stalwarts have been given a break by the BCCI. On that note, let us take a look at the predicted playing XI of the Indian side for the 3rd and final T20I against the West Indies.

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad

India are likely to give Ruturaj Gaikwad a go at the top of the order in the final T20I. Gaikwad has been waiting in the wings for his opportunity, and the right-hander will mostly get the nod for this contest.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will open the batting alongside Gaikwad. The ‘Hitman’ has scored 59 runs in the 2 matches that he has played in this series at an average of close to 30.

Middle Order and wicketkeeper: Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav

With Kohli and Pant not featuring in this match, the Indian middle-order will consist of Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav. Kishan will don the wicket-keeping gloves in the absence of Pant.

Kishan could not get going in the 2nd T20I and scored just 2 runs. Suryakumar Yadav has scored 42 runs in the series so far and will look to finish on a high. Also, right-hander, Shreyas Iyer will get his first opportunity in this T20I series.

All Rounders: Venkatesh Iyer, Shardul Thakur

Venkatesh Iyer and Shardul Thakur are the two all-rounders whom India will field for this match. Iyer has contributed in both matches with the willow and has scored 57 runs in the series at a strike rate of over 180. Deepak Chahar has produced a disappointing performance with the ball in this series and has scalped just 1 wicket in the 2 matches he has played and has also leaked runs at a high economy rate of 9.71. He might be replaced by Shardul Thakur.

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi

Harshal Patel has scalped 2 wickets in the 2 matches he has featured in the series so far at an average of 41.50. Right arm pacer Mohammed Siraj will replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the playing XI for the final T20I.

Kuldeep Yadav will most likely take the place of Yuzvendra Chahal in the side. Ravi Bishnoi has been very impressive in his debut series and has scalped 3 wickets in 2 matches at an average of 15.66.