2nd T20I: 3 players India must replace vs Australia

Team India was defeated by Australia in the first T20I on September 20. Following the loss, captain Rohit Sharma spoke about India’s bowling that could not stop Australia from clinching the win.

India scored 208 runs for six wickets in the match, however, Australia was able to chase it successfully in 19.2 overs. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel conceded 143 runs in less than 12 overs, raising concerns for India’s bowling ahead of the T20 World Cup. Let’s take a look at three players who should be replaced in the second T20I match against Australia.

Also Read: India vs Australia, 2nd T20I: Records, stats and pitch report

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Umesh Yadav replaced Mohammed Shami in the squad, but what surprised many is the exclusion of Deepak Chahar. However, if reports are to be believed, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be dropped in the second T20I match for Chahar, whose career-best figure came in Nagpur.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar posted a figure of 0/52 against Australia in the previous match and conceded the most runs among all Indian bowlers, with an economy rate of 13.0. While Kumar was the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Asia Cup, he conceded 49 runs in the 19th over against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and in the last game against Australia. Chahar replacing Kumar will give India an edge over Australia, also in the death over.

Umesh Yadav

As per reports, Jasprit Bumrah is being brought in for Umesh Yadav for the second T20I and it is a decision everyone can get behind. Yadav posted a figure of 2/27 in two overs in the first match, with an economy of 13.50, the most among Indian bowlers. His inclusion in the squad to replace Mohammed Shami surprised many, however, if everything goes alright, it will be Jasprit Bumrah who will return to the fold.

Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah has recuperated from his back injury that he picked up in the tour of England, and is ready to play.

Also Read: India vs Australia 2nd T20I: Must-win game for India, Australia look to clinch series

Yuzvendra Chahal

While Chahal was impressive against England and in the Asia Cup, his tendency to concede many runs has put India in problematic situations many times. He registered a figure of 1/42 in 3.2 overs against Australia in the first T20I match and was the bowler with the third-highest economy rate among Indians.

In Nagpur, where the pitch will be much slower compared to Punjab, India needs to bring in Ravichandran Ashwin. Rohit Sharma also had kind words for the veteran spinner in a press conference ahead of the series, saying Ashwin also adds to India’s batting depth.