The 3rd T20I between India and New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati has shifted the spotlight onto India’s bench strength as the hosts look to clinch the series. Captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss on a humid evening and elected to bowl first, a tactical move influenced by the heavy dew expected later in the match. Despite the high stakes of a potential series-winning game, the Indian team management has opted for significant rotation in the bowling unit. These changes come as India seeks an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, following their high-scoring victories in Nagpur and Raipur.

IND vs NZ: Why Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy are sidelined in Guwahati T20I

The absence of Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy from the 3rd T20I is a combination of workload management and a reaction to the high-scoring encounter in Raipur. Arshdeep had a challenging outing in the 2nd T20I, conceding 53 runs in his four overs, including a joint-record 18 runs in the opening over, which prompted the management to bring back a refreshed Jasprit Bumrah to lead the attack.

Similarly, Chakaravarthy has been rested to make way for the return of Ravi Bishnoi, as India looks to explore different spin combinations before the T20 World Cup 2026. While both players remain integral to India’s long-term plans, their omission today allows the medical staff to monitor their recovery in a congested schedule. Harshit Rana has retained his spot in the XI due to his superior batting depth at number eight, a critical factor given that Axar Patel is still unavailable while recovering from his finger injury. By bringing in Bumrah and Bishnoi, Suryakumar is looking to sharpen the death-bowling execution and middle-over control, which were both tested during New Zealand’s charge to a 200-plus total in the previous game.

“We’ve two changes – Arshdeep and Varun resting tonight. Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi come in.” Suryakumar said during toss time.

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New Zealand’s last stand in the series and three changes in the 2nd T20I

New Zealand have entered the Guwahati T20I with a ‘must-win’ mentality, making a pivotal change to their bowling arsenal to counter India’s in-form top order. After Zakary Foulkes proved expensive in the Raipur chase, the Black Caps have brought back the towering Kyle Jamieson, hoping his extra bounce can disrupt the rhythm of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. The visitors are also navigating a permanent squad change following the unfortunate hamstring injury to Adam Milne, with Jamieson now officially drafted into the World Cup squad as his long-term replacement.

“With the nature of different games in different cities, you have to turn up and see what it’s gonna do and then go again. So that’s what we gotta do tonight. Neesh (Neesham) was gonna play, but he’s crooked. So we’ve brought in Jamieson for Foulkes.” Santner said.

The series currently stands 2-0 in favor of India, leaving the Kiwis with the mammoth task of winning three consecutive games in Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram to take the trophy home. Mitchell Santner’s side will rely heavily on the spin-hitting prowess of Glenn Phillips and the consistency of Rachin Ravindra to keep the series alive. With the Guwahati track traditionally serving as a batter’s paradise, New Zealand knows that only a flawless execution of their plans against India’s revised bowling attack will prevent a premature series defeat on Indian soil.

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