IND vs NZ 3rd T20: Mukesh Kumar Released – Indian pacer Mukesh Kumar has returned to play Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. Despite being with the T20 squad for NewZealand series, he has been released ahead of the 3rd T20 in Ahmedabad. On his Ranji return, he has picked up two wickets against Jharkhand. India will face NewZealand in the series-deciding 3rd T20 on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Follow India vs NewZealand LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
With no Mukesh Kumar in the squad, the fight for pacers will be between Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi and Arshdeep Singh. With Ahmedabad pitch also under spin cloud, India won’t need an additional pacer, especially with Hardik Pandya leading the side. Hence, the Team management decided to release him ahead of the 3rd T20.
While he was with India squad till the 2nd T20 in Lucknow, he travelled to Kolkata on Sunday night to join the Bengal Ranji team.
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IND vs NZ 3rd T20: Team India quietly release Mukesh Kumar ahead of 3rd T20, turns up to play Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, Follow India vs NewZealand LIVE
IND vs NZ 3rd T20: What changes to expect in India Playing XI 3rd T20?
- India’s record of 12 consecutive home series record is on the line.
- Unless India make some adjustments to their batting, it winning streak could end.
- Both Shubman and Ishan have struggled and one could make way for Prithvi Shaw.
- While Shubman looks the ideal choice to drop for Prithvi to come in, India may opt to change Ishan well.
- But for Ishan to be dropped, India need a keeper and Jitesh Sharma could come in his place.
- If Ishan is dropped, it is likely that Suryakumar Yadav could open for India with Shubman.
- However, the composition could also depend on the pitch.
- If it’s batting paradise, India could bring in an additional batter for a spinner.
- However, if the last T20 at the venue is anything to go by, it will be a difficult pitch to bat on.
- The last T20 at the venue was IPL 2022 Final and both sides struggled to put up runs.
- The last ODI was no different at Narendra Modi Stadium either.
- If it’s two-paced again, India can retain a slower bowler like Yuzvendra Chahal.
- However, if the pitch improves, Umran Malik can come in for Chahal.
In the first QF at Eden Gardens two Bihar lad Akash Deep (3) and Mukesh Kumar(2) fighting for Bengal against Jharkhand
Both visitors struggling in 1st & 2nd QF
Jharkhand 135/7 v Bengal
Uttarakhand 107/8 v Karnataka#RanjiTrophy #Cricket pic.twitter.com/WQGg03jSn6— Pushkar Pushp (@ppushp7) January 31, 2023
In the bowling department, India have shown trust in Arshdeep Singh despite his dip in form. Along with him, Shivam Mavi will also continue. But unlike the Lucknow T20 where India played 4 spinners (Kuldeep, Chahal, Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar), the strategy will change.
India Squad NZ T20: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Suryakumar Yadav (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Prithvi Shaw
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