Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja has suggested a change in India’s playing XI for the third ODI against New Zealand. Jadeja reckons Arshdeep Singh could be rested whereas Mohammed Siraj can play in place of him.
Singh had played all the five T20Is against the Kiwis and also played the first two ODIs. Siraj, on the other hand, didn’t play in the first two ODIs despite being a senior bowler in the squad
The visitors have given chances to rookie pacers Auqib Nabi Dar, Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj in the first two games.
Jadeja said on SonyLiv, “In the T20Is, after winning 3-0, you finished 3-2. So there won’t be too many changes until it becomes 3-0. One change might happen. Arshdeep has bowled extremely well. He has been playing T20Is as well, and we haven’t seen Siraj thus far. It’s not because of performance, but to see how this attack functions without a left-arm seamer,” the former India all-rounder said.
“India are using all these matches to prepare the team for the World Cup. A right-hander would come in place of a left-hander. There is no chance of a change in batting. You won’t add a spinner because it is a small ground. So, if this is a change for India, it’s not tactical, but to give someone a little rest. He (Arshdeep) has been playing consistently, and this is to get him (Siraj) back into the game,” Jadeja added.
Jadeja further added Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan won’t get their chances as Gill, Rohit and Virat are India’s top order whereas India would continue to play Shreyas Iyer.
“I think it’s early because you didn’t play them at the start. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill are the top order. How will you change them? Shreyas Iyer would want to play a little more because he has scored runs in the previous two matches, but he would think about improving because of how he got dismissed. So you won’t want to leave him out either,” he responded.
The third ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday.
