India Likely to Drop Bishnoi, Add Extra Pacer for Must-Win Third T20I Against England

NOTTINGHAM, July 7: India are expected to make a key change to their playing XI by replacing leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi with an additional fast bowler for the third T20 International against England at Trent Bridge on Tuesday as they seek to stay alive in the five-match series. SouthAsians & Diaspora Led by Shreyas Iyer, India are yet to register a victory on the UK tour, having lost the T20I series to Ireland before falling 0-2 behind against England. Bishnoi is likely to make way after an expensive outing in the second T20I at Manchester, where he conceded 60 runs in four overs without taking a wicket, including a costly 29-run over and three back-foot no-balls. With Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy already in the side, the team management is expected to opt for an extra seamer on a batting-friendly Trent Bridge surface. Young pacer Prince Yadav is believed to be ahead of Prasidh Krishna for the spot, thanks to his ability to generate swing and seam movement. Although Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets in the previous match, the 27 runs he conceded to England captain Harry Brook in a crucial over proved expensive as the hosts chased down India’s 190-run target with an over to spare. India’s batting unit has struggled to adapt to English conditions despite posting competitive totals of 189 and 190 in the last two matches. Captain Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan have contributed useful runs but are yet to dominate the English bowling attack. Abhishek Sharma has been India’s standout batter, scoring 59 and 43 in the first two games with his aggressive approach, while youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will look to build on his promising debut. England’s spin trio of Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks has effectively slowed the scoring rate in the middle overs, exposing India’s inability to accelerate consistently. India last played a T20I at Trent Bridge in 2022, when Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant century came in a losing cause. SouthAsians & Diaspora Match starts at 10:00 PM (IST).