In a notable twist ahead of the third and final ODI against New Zealand, Indian captain Shubman Gill has decided to shake things up in the playing XI by bringing back left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, replacing Prasidh Krishna.
With the series currently tied at 1-1, the showdown at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore is set to be an exciting decider. After winning the toss, Shubman Gill chose to bowl first, signaling India’s strategy to apply early pressure on the Kiwis. India made just one change to their lineup, while New Zealand stuck with the same XI that had dominated in the second ODI.
Why Did India Leave Out Prasidh Krishna for the Third ODI?
The choice to drop Prasidh Krishna follows a string of disappointing performances from the right-arm seamer. He has managed to take only three wickets in two matches, with a strike rate of 36 and an economy rate of 6.06 in this series.
Unfortunately, the star bowler couldn’t deliver the crucial breakthroughs when India needed them the most. His struggles to read the game and perform at pivotal moments left the Indian management in a tough spot during the second ODI.
Also Read | IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Why Harshit Rana Has Become India’s Go-To Bowler Against Left-Handers
On a brighter note, Arshdeep Singh's return has been met with enthusiasm. Known for his ability to swing the ball and execute effective variations in the death overs, he brings a more dynamic option to India’s bowling lineup.
His absence in the second ODI faced criticism, with many questioning the decision to bench a bowler who has the potential to turn the game around.
Bringing him back for the decider is viewed as a strategic move to bolster India’s bowling attack and secure early wickets against the Kiwi top and middle order.
This series decider holds great significance for both teams. India is eager to kick off the year with a home series victory, while for New Zealand, a win would mark a historic achievement securing their first ODI series win on Indian soil.
India's playing 11:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh
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