India vs Australia 2019: 3 changes India could make for the 2nd T20I

#2 Play Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar impressed in New Zealand

Despite an impressive T20I and ODI series in New Zealand, Vijay Shankar was given the axe for the first game at Visakhapatnam.

However, the all-rounder’s omission was a combination of Virat Kohli coming back into the fold and the Indian team management according the likes of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant time in the middle.

Yet, India could be inclined to bring back Shankar due to his ability to double up as a sixth bowler. In the 1st T20I, Umesh and Mayank Markande went for plenty. However, with India not boasting of a sixth bowler, they were forced to stick with them when under the cosh.

Thus, with Shankar in the mix, India would possess a decent batsman capable of relieving some of the pressure off the regular bowlers, if need be.

But, the inclusion of the all-rounder would be potentially problematic with India’s middle order brimming with talent.

Though Pant failed to inspire at Visakhapatnam, the Indian team would be extremely naïve to drop him. Hence, the hosts need to play one of MS Dhoni or Dinesh Karthik in the 2nd T20I.

It would make more sense for India to exclude either because Dhoni’s place is set in stone for the World Cup while Karthik is batting himself out of contention with each passing game.

Vijay Shankar would lend the Indian team with the balance that was sorely lacking in the first game. If they actually give him the nod is anyone’s guess right now but it certainly is an option they can’t ignore.