Arshdeep Singh made his T20I debut against England on Thursday. (Twitter/BCCI)
Arshdeep Singh made his T20I debut against England (Twitter/BCCI)

Zaheer Khan and Michael Vaughan had a discussion over India’s potential XI as the side takes on England in the final ODI of the series in Manchester.

Team India will be aiming for a strong comeback when it takes on England in the third and final ODI of the series on Sunday. The series is poised for an exciting finish, with both sides sharing the spoils in the first two games.

Zaheer Khan. Image-Sportstar
Zaheer Khan. Image-Sportstar

Zaheer Khan: India’s Only Change Maybe Arshdeep Singh Playing In Place Of Prasidh Krishna In The 3rd ODI

While the first ODI saw a straightforward win for India (10 wickets win), the home side returned the favour at Lord’s with a dominant 100-run victory. With all to play for in the final game, former India cricketer Zaheer Khan suggests the side could make one big change in the XI.

Prasidh Krishna Source: Google/ Image Credit: India Today
Prasidh Krishna Source: Google/ Image Credit: India Today

While Zaheer Khan insisted that too many changes can backfire for India, he insisted that youngster Arshdeep Singh could be given a debut in place of Prasidh Krishna, who took a wicket in the previous game.

“From India’s side, I don’t expect many changes. They have been playing two spinners, Hardik Pandya bowling, so they have got their balance sorted. They might debate around Arshdeep Singh or maybe Prasidh Krishna making way for him. If we have to make use of the swing. So, that’s the only change I am expecting. Other than that, I am not expecting any changes,” Zaheer Khan said.

The team management is likely to take a call on Prasidh Krishna and one of Shardul Thakur and Arshdeep Singh might take his place. Prasidh Krishna took 1/26 in 5 overs in the 1st ODI and 1/53 in 8 overs in the 2nd ODI.
Arshdeep Singh picked 2/18 in his only T20I appearance against England in the preceding T20I series. He became the first Indian bowler to bowl a maiden in their debut T20I over since 2006, when Jhulan Goswami and Ajit Agarkar did it in India’s first women’s T20I (vs England at Derby, August 2006) and first men’s T20I (vs South Africa at Johannesburg, December 2006).  He got the wickets of Reece Topley and Matthew Parkinson.
Prasidh Krishna went for 53 runs in his 8 overs and only managed 1 wicket at Lord’s. It would be a harsh call after just two ODIs (he played in 1st game as well) but with the series on the line, the management might think of making this change. If Arshdeep Singh plays, then it will be his maiden ODI game. Should Shardul Thakur get the nod, he will have the responsibility to contribute to both the batting and the bowling departments.

Michael Vaughan Doesn’t Think India Will Make Any Change In XI For The 3rd ODI

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, who was also a part of the conversation, said that he won’t be surprised if India goes with the same side in the decider.

“Old Trafford is not that place where it swings. I don’t know what’s the science behind it, but you wouldn’t have Old Trafford as that venue where it swings conventionally. You have to hit the pitch hard. I don’t think India will make many changes. At this stage, where you have series on the line, I won’t be surprised if they go in with the same team,” said Vaughan.

Michael Vaughan (Image Credit: Twitter)
Michael Vaughan (Image Credit: Twitter)

Earlier, the five-Test series between the two sides had ended in a 2-2 draw with England winning the rescheduled Test at Edgbaston, while the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team produced impressive performances to register a 2-1 T20I series victory.