Zaheer Khan opines that India will go unchanged for the second T20I

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan believes that India will field an unchanged playing eleven for the second T20I against England in Birmingham.

The men in blue won the first match of the ongoing three-match T20I series at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton by 50 runs. It was an all-around team effort that gave India a lead in the series. 

Senior all-format players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant were unavailable for selection for the series opener as BCCI decided to give them rest as they were a part of the rescheduled fifth Test match that had concluded just two days before the first T20I. 

With Kohli, Bumrah, and Pant available and back in contention, it'll be interesting to see India's selection in the second T20I. Speaking about the same, Zaheer said it's challenging to comment on India's selection process, but he feels that the management will not tinker with the winning combination.

"It is challenging to sit down and predict the selecting process they would use. You have witnessed India win the opening game of the series before remaining unchanged for the remainder of the series. They will not change, in my opinion. We must wait and see if any changes, if any, will be made," Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz.

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh who made his debut in the first T20I at the Ageas Bowl, is not in the Indian squad for the second and third T20Is. 

Although Indian skipper Rohit Sharma hinted at Umran Malik's inclusion prior to the start of the series, Zaheer still feels that Jasprit Bumrah will be the one who will fill the vacant spot created by Arshdeep's absence and not any other pace bowling options in the squad.

"You do not want to lose momentum, and I do not see any chance of a change. Arshdeep Singh would not be playing in the second T20I. Thus Jasprit Bumrah will fill his place," Zaheer added.

If India decides to retain Deepak Hooda at number 3, then Kohli could open the innings alongside skipper Rohit Sharma at the expense of Ishan Kishan, who has also been consistent as an opener.

Jadeja will be a like-for-like replacement for Axar Patel, and his inclusion also makes the batting unit more solid. However, it'll be up to the management what combination they would go for to seal the series.