NZ vs IND: 4th T20I – Time for India to test bench strength?
A sensational victory in a Super Over gave Team India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand. With the result, the visitors sealed a historic first-ever T20I series win in the den of the hosts. This has afforded India the chance to test out their bench strength for the two remaining encounters. Each and every fixture now has great importance, with the T20 World Cup fast approaching. So the contest in Wellington will be a great opportunity for the Indian team management to take a better look at a few of their reserve players.
Here we take a look at three players who could get a run-out in the fourth match:
Navdeep Saini
With the series in the bag, India may opt to rest Jasprit Bumrah. It will be a busy calendar year ahead for the Indian team with some high-profile assignments, during which Bumrah will be the key. The pacer has only just returned from a serious back injury and managing his workload is of paramount importance. Keeping this in mind, Navdeep Saini could well be given the opportunity to make a mark. In a short career, Saini has already displayed his worth with his rapid pace. He is a hot prospect in Indian cricket and this is the perfect opportunity to further groom him.
Kuldeep Yadav
The chinaman bowler was the first-choice for the series against Australia and could well feature in the team again. Kuldeep will be a key fixture in the shorter formats going ahead and will be chomping at the bits to get an opportunity once again. He could feature ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal, who hasn’t been at his best throughout the series. Considering New Zealand’s perceived weakness against spin, the team management could also opt to rekindle the ‘KulCha’ combo once again.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has often been the odd the man out in the scheme of things. Despite being consistently picked in the squad, he has been afforded very few opportunities. The injury to Shikhar Dhawan opened up a slot for him in the Indian squad. But with the series in the bag, will he finally get an opportunity in the playing XI? One factor which does work in his favour is the ability to bat anywhere in the order. If the management is serious about Samson as a future prospect, now is the perfect opportunity to unleash him in international cricket.
