India captain Shreyas Iyer has 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 suffered a hamstring injury during the second match of the series. Having already secured the three-match contest 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 up midway through his run-up while bowling his second over. He immediately clutched his hamstring and walked off the field, ending what had been an impressive spell. Before leaving the field, the right-arm pacer had struck twice in just eight deliveries.
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Speaking after India’s 90-run victory, Iyer admitted the injury could force the team into making changes. “One of our players got injured unfortunately, so you might see a few changes tomorrow (Sunday),” Iyer said during the post-match presentation. Prince’s setback adds to India’s growing injury concerns over the past two months. The pacer himself had entered the squad as a replacement for Harshit Rana, who was ruled out after sustaining an injury during the T20I series against England. It remains unclear whether Prince will recover in time or require further assessment at the BCCI‘s Centre of Excellence, as Rana did. Despite the injury concern, India have adequate cover in the pace department. Ashok Sharma, who made his T20I debut in the opening match of the series, is available as a like-for-like replacement if required. With the series already wrapped up, the final T20I also presents an opportunity for India to assess 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 involve resting Ishan Kishan, who has strengthened his place in the side after his match-winning 81 in the second T20I, and bringing in Prabhsimran. However, India have generally preferred to give players opportunities in their natural roles. Another option could be to rest opener Abhishek Sharma, who has not produced his best batting form in the series despite remaining India’s first-choice opener. Such a move would allow Prabhsimran to slot into the top order without disrupting the team’s preferred batting positions. With the series already decided, the third T20I offers India a chance to balance experimentation with the pursuit of a clean sweep over Zimbabwe.
