India Cricket News: Captain Hints at Big XI Change for T20 World Cup Final

India captain Suryakumar Yadav is looking for some big potential XI changes for the team’s T20 World Cup Final against New Zealand on Sunday.

India returned to the final after a thrilling win over England in the semifinal, but some concerns lingered over the performance of some players. Yadav hinted that the team would be shifting around its XI for the winner-take-all game.

Suryakumar Yadav Says Changes Are Coming

Addressing reporters at a press conference before the T20 World Cup final, the Indian captain soothed fears about some of their underperforming players, saying some players are bound to be up or down.

“Nothing to worry for now,” Suryakumar said, via First Post. “We don’t think about it once we win. Collective efforts matter and we are not worrying about it. Ups and downs are part of this game and everyone in the playing XI cannot have a good day every time. The others are there to cover for it. I am not worried about his form. He is the world No. 1 bowler and he knows how to deliver.”

But when asked specifically whether India could change their XI for the match against New Zealand, Suryakumar remained tight-lipped.

“See the changes tomorrow. You want to know everything right away,” he told reporters with a smile.

The Indian team has the chance to make history on Sunday. After winning the T20 World Cup’s last tournament, they will try to become the first team in history to defend a title, and the first to win it at home.

India already showed mettle in the tournament, rebounding from a Super Eight loss to South Africa by 76 runs to go on a run that has now brough them to the final.

Abhishek Sharma’s Performance Raises Concern

One of the biggest questions for the T20 World Cup final is the performance of opener Abhishek Sharma. India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said he believed the team should stick by him despite four dismissals in this tournament.

“Abhishek Sharma has that factor. In the series against New Zealand, he was in top form,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, via the Times of India. “He has batted well against Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry in the past. So I wouldn’t be too fussed about Abhishek. But I would like to have a conversation with him. I would tell him, ‘Listen, there’s a plan against you.’ So don’t try hard to hit the ball.”

Sharma was dismissed in the team’s semifinal win over England, but Ashwin said it was due to an overly aggressive approach instead of a lack of skills, the report added.

“In the semi-final against England, I think it was headless batting from him. I am a big fan of his gameplay,” Ashwin said. “He scored eight runs against Jacks, but he intended to score 30 runs against him. Sometimes, you have to leave the ball. Sanju Samson is going so well at the other end, so you just need to take the single and get to the other end. You will get your tee time.”

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