Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal may be at risk of being dropped from the Indian national cricket team's playing XI for the upcoming T20I against Sri Lanka, according to former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer. Chahal was the most expensive bowler for India in the T20 series opener against Sri Lanka, leaking 26 runs in two overs and failing to complete his full quota of overs.
However, Jaffer believes that dropping Chahal for Washington Sundar would be a "huge call." In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Jaffer stated: "I believe there should be a wrist spinner in the playing XI. Even though Sundar provides balance to the side because of his batting as well as his power-play bowling, I don't think that a bowler like Chahal, who has delivered time and again, will be dropped after one bad outing. I think it is too early to consider making that change."
Jaffer also weighed in on the potential makeup of India's playing XI for the second T20I, scheduled for Thursday in Pune. He suggested that pacer Arshdeep Singh could be a potential replacement for Harshal Patel, who had a poor outing in the first T20I. Jaffer said: "If Arshdeep is available, then I think he will be back in the playing XI. Maybe he will get a chance in place of Harshal Patel. The first T20I was not a good one for Harshal Patel. But apart from that, I do not see any other changes to the playing XI." Arshdeep did not play in the first T20I due to illness.
India currently lead the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka 1-0, having secured a narrow two-run victory in the series opener at the Wankhede Stadium. The team will be looking to seal the series with a win in Thursday's match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.