The second game on Sunday was a low-scoring affair but still turned out to be a nail-biter. The hosts mounted a comeback after losing the first game in Ranchi by 21 runs, winning the low-scoring contest in Lucknow on Sunday by six wickets. After a series-leveling win on a tricky Lucknow track, the Indian cricket team has finally arrived in Ahmedabad for the series decider, scheduled to be played on Wednesday.
Will Prithvi Shaw Play?
The attacking Indian opener Prithvi Shaw is all set to end his international cricket exile in Ahmedabad. Prithvi, who is yet to open his T20I runs account will be drafted into the Indian playing XI for the series-deciding 3rd T20 vs New Zealand on Wednesday. As per sources, Shaw will replace Shubman Gill in the playing XI for the final T20I match against New Zealand.
This is ODI World Cup year and the Indian side will play any T20I cricket till the marquee event in October in India. That is the reason coach Rahul Dravid is keen to give chance to Shaw in Ahmedabad.
Recently, team India tested Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, and both the youngsters did amazingly well and scored a double-century each in ODIs. However, they couldn’t do much in the T20I series.
Shubman Gill in last 5 T20s: 7, 5, 46, 7, 11
Ishan Kishan in last 5 T20s: 37, 2, 1, 4, 19
Shubman, who is in the purple patch in ODIs, has averaged just 15.20 in T20s. Ishan Kishan, on the other hand, has averaged 12.60 in 2023. Hence, India needs a new strategy as it has been difficult to score runs in the powerplay and even though the pitches have played a part, India needs some freshness. Prithvi Shaw can offer that freshness in the opening, considering the stellar form that he is in. Shaw can smash the ball from the get-go with a powerplay strike rate of 152.30.
“Though nothing is finalized at this stage but sooner or later he needs to get a look in. In all likelihood Prithvi will play the 3rd T20 as team is keen to give him opportunity,” informed a source close to Indian team management.
