Nidahas Trophy: Changes expected in each side for remainder of the series

Three games and halfway into the Nidahas Trophy 2018, all three sides are equally poised on the points table. Sri Lanka tops the points table due to good run rate, followed by India and Bangladesh at the last. Stepping into the final phase, each team has now a win in their pocket and fancy their chances for the trophy.

All three sides had their ups and downs during the first half of the tournament. Every team had some top performers and disappointments in the side. Each side would surely want to fix their loopholes before the final phase begins. India too had their peaks and troughs in case of performances.

Here's a list of possible changes India might implement for the remainder of the series.

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#1 India

Indian Captain - Rohit Sharma

In case of batting order, India’s major concern is with the middle order. Rishabh Pant’s failure in both the matches might make way for other players into the team. Pant scored 30 runs in 31 balls with a strike rate even below 100. Another promising talent in Deepak Hooda, currently warming the benches might replace Pant for future matches in the series. With 2 good cameos in the series, Dinesh Karthik could be sent up the order. Lokesh Rahul may also get a game keeping in mind that India’s opening pair has not been able to give an impact performance that is expected of them.

In bowling department, Washington Sundar might be replaced with Axar Patel. Sundar has bowled good economical lengths in the series but has taken only 2 wickets in 2 matches. Inclusion of Axar Patel would surely bring depth in the batting order and more experience into the bowling department. Mohammed Siraj could get a game in place of Shardul Thakur as he only has one wicket to show in both the outings so far.

#2 Bangladesh

Bangladesh Captain - Mushfiqur Rahim

With the recent win against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh might not tinker too much with their playing XI but still, there’s always room for some improvements. Scoring just 38 runs in 34 deliveries, Soumya Sarkar could be replaced by Imrul Kayes.

With over 65 runs in 6 overs and 2 wickets, Taskin Ahmed and 45 runs in 4 overs and 0 wickets, Nazmul Islam might make way for younger talents such as Abu Hider Rony or Abu Jayed.

#3 Sri Lanka

Being on the losing side in a thrilling contest against Bangladesh in the last match, Sri Lanka would surely want to win a game and shift the momentum back to their side. Sri Lanka's batting order has performed well in both the matches. Firstly winning the game with India and then scoring above 200 runs against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka would not want any changes.

In what would be a huge blow, Sri Lanka will be without the services of their captain Dinesh Chandimal after he was handed a two-match ban for slow over rate. With lack of proper batsmen in the squad, Dhananjaya de Silva is most likely to replace the skipper in the playing XI.