Shreyas Iyer drops major selection hint after fresh injury in India | Cricket News

Indian players celebrate (AP)

Captain of India Shreyas Iyer indicated that the team management is likely to make changes to the playing XI for the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe after pacer Prince Yadav sustained a hamstring injury during the second match of the series. Having clinched the three-match series with a 2-0 lead, India now have the freedom to rotate players ahead of Sunday’s dead rubber. Prince’s outing was cut short after the Delhi fast bowler pulled midway through his run-up while bowling his second over. He then clutched his hamstring and walked off the field, ending an impressive spell. Before leaving the field, the right-arm pacer struck twice in just eight deliveries.

Speaking after India’s 90-run win, Iyer admitted that the injury will force the team to make changes. “One of our players is injured, so you might see some changes tomorrow (Sunday),” Iyer said during the post-match presentation. Prince’s failure added to growing injury concerns in India over the past two months. The pacer himself entered the squad as a replacement for Harshit Rana, who missed out after sustaining an injury during the T20I series against England. It remains unclear whether Prince will recover in time or require further evaluation over time BCCI‘s Center of Excellence, as Rana did. Despite the injury concern, India have enough cover in the pace department. Ashok Sharma, who made his T20I debut in the opening match of the series, will be available as a preferred substitute if required. With the series over, the final T20I also presents an opportunity for India to evaluate the players who are yet to feature. Wicketkeeper-opener Prabhsimran Singh and spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey are among those waiting for a chance to make their T20I debuts. One possible change could include rest Ishan Kishanwho cemented his place in the side after his match-winning 81 in the second T20I, and brought in Prabhsimran. However, India prefers to give players opportunities in their natural roles. Another option is the rest opener Abhishek Sharmawho did not produce his best batting form in the series despite remaining India’s first-choice opener. Such a move would allow Prabhsimran to break into the top order without disrupting the team’s preferred batting position. With the series decided, the third T20I offers India a chance to balance the experiment in pursuit of a clean sweep of Zimbabwe.