India is practically invincible in bilateral T20I series at home, and they extended that record by establishing a 2-0 lead against Afghanistan.
The Men in Blue had won the first two matches of the series by six wickets, but it won’t be enough against an obviously lesser team in Afghanistan.
They will seek to finish the match with a victory and seal a clean sweep of the visitors.
How can India accomplish this? While their performances have often been impressive, Ibrahim Zadran and his teammates are no pushovers, as seen by their international performances in recent years.
In Bengaluru, the hosts will have to perform to their full potential.
Here are three things India must achieve in the third T20I series if they are to complete a clean sweep of Afghanistan.
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No.3 – India should make its death-bowling strategies obvious
In the second T20I series, India took a unique approach to death bowling, with Shivam Dube delivering the 19th over.
The over was obviously pricey, costing 20 runs, as Afghanistan took advantage of the part-timer’s slot balls.
Mukesh Kumar, who was supposed to provide a few overs in the end, watched on.
He concluded the innings having bowled only two overs, and his place in the team remains uncertain going into the dead-rubber match.
India cannot afford to tinker with their death-bowling, which has been a problem in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
Arshdeep Singh’s recent form has been spotty, and developing players like Avesh Khan will be the best path ahead for the Men in Blue.
Dube’s 20-run over did not cost India in the second T20I, but they must think ahead and pick the appropriate individuals to bowl at the death.
Arshdeep and Avesh must bowl in tandem in Bengaluru.
No.2 – Rohit Sharma and Co. must bat with the same determination, T20I series
Rohit Sharma is possibly the lone player who should keep his cool throughout the third T20I.
Attempting crazy hoicks across the line off the first ball is not a long-term plan, even for the aggressive starter.
Otherwise, India must bat with the same determination, particularly if they bat first.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will be essential in this endeavour, while Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Axar Patel may also be prepared to contribute.
Virat Kohli will be in the limelight.
The 35-year-old made his intentions clear in the second T20I by consistently finding the boundary, and more of the same on his adopted home field will be beneficial to the Men in Blue.
India cannot afford to revert to past staid patterns in their final T20I before the 2024 T20 World Cup.
No.1 – India must select an additional wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav
This will aid India not just in the third T20I series, but also in their long-term objectives.
Kuldeep Yadav, who took five wickets in South Africa, should play with Ravi Bishnoi in Bengaluru.
Bishnoi has been pricey in the series so far, taking two wickets.
By pairing Kuldeep with him, the hosts will be able to examine the two leg-spinners’ skill sets more clearly in what will essentially be a direct shoot-out.
Furthermore, the Chinnaswamy Stadium’s narrow boundaries would present a good challenge for Bishnoi and Kuldeep, which will substantially improve their game.
Mukesh Kumar and Washington Sundar have been underwhelming thus far, and there is certainly place in the team for both of them to play.
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