IND vs NZ: Why did Axar Patel miss third T20I in Guwahati?

Axar Patel, who is the vice-captain of India in T20I, wasn’t named in XI for IND vs NZ 3rd T20I at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

The third encounter of the five-match series between Indian Cricket Team and New Zealand Cricket Team got underway on Sunday, January 25. While Suryakumar Yadav & Co. aim for a series victory after winning the first two games, the Mitchell Santner-led side needs to win at any cost to keep their hopes of victory alive in the tournament.

After the first two games in Nagpur and Raipur, the action has now shifted to the north-eastern region of India. Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, which became India’s 30th venue to host a test match last year, is the venue for IND vs NZ 3rd T20I.

Luck favoured Suryakumar Yadav once again as he won the toss in the 3rd T20I and opted to bowl first. In the previous game too, the hosts won the toss and opted to bowl first. In the high-scoring game, India chased down a 209-run target by seven wickets to gain a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

IND vs NZ: Why did Axar Patel miss third T20I in Guwahati?

In the previous match, India made two changes to their playing XI. While Axar Patel was ruled out due to an injury, Jasprit Bumrah was added to the playing XI. Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav were inducted as replacements.

There were two changes yet again for India in the third T20I, but Axar Patel still missed out. The reason behind that has been the finger injury that he sustained in the opening game. He was hit on his finger while trying to catch Daryl Mitchell’s shot. After the incident, his finger started bleeding and he had to leave the field. His over was completed by Abhishek Sharma.

At the toss, Yadav informed that Bumrah was back in the playing XI and spinner Ravi Bishnoi was added. Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh, who played in the last two matches, were rested in the 3rd T20I.

Speaking at the toss, Yadav stated, “It’s always good, someone like Shivam, Hardik and some days Abhishek Sharma chipping in one or two overs. It’s always a big boost. Hardik has been doing that for India for a very long time. Shivam Dube is doing it recently. So it’s a big boost and we’re very happy with it. We’ve two changes – Arshdeep and Varun resting tonight. Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi come in”.

New Zealand made only one change to their playing XI. James Neesham was expected to return but was ruled out due to an injury, while Kyle Jamieson replaced Zakary Foulkes.

India’s Playing XI for 3rd T20I: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand’s Playing XI for 3rd T20I: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

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