'He struggles in T20 cricket' - Former India cricketer believes Umran Malik is not suited for T20Is

Umran Malik (Source: Twitter)

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer feels that wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is likely to retain his place in the Indian playing XI for the third and final T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday. The series is level 1-1 after India won the thrilling second game on the penultimate ball of the match. Both teams will be looking to give their all in the field to seal a series win.

On being asked if the pace sensation Umran Malik should replace Chahal in the playing XI for the third T20I, Jaffer stated that the pacer is yet to master his skills in the format to succeed.

"It would be better to have Yuzvendra Chahal as New Zealand struggle against spinners and if there is a wrist-spinner, India must utilize it. As I mentioned previously, Umran Malik struggles in T20 cricket. He is yet to learn the variations needed to succeed in this format. So, in that way, Chahal is a better option," Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo.

Jaffer, however, suggested a change in the playing XI. He backed Prithvi Shaw to replace Shubman Gill, who has failed to bring his ODI form into T20Is. The former Indian opener said that Shaw is "better suited for T20 cricket" as compared to Gill.

Prithvi Shaw could come in for Shubman Gill: Wasim Jaffer

"If India consider a change, maybe Prithvi Shaw could come in for Shubman Gill because he is in a good form and is better suited for T20 cricket. But otherwise, I'm not concerned a lot about Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi," he added.

Gill has played five T20Is so far scoring 76 runs at an average of 15.20 and a strike rate of 128.81. Gill only made scores of 7 and 11 in the first two T20Is in Ranchi and Lucknow, respectively.

On the other hand, Shaw has just played one T20I so far where he failed to score a single run. The 23-year-old made a comeback into the Indian team after a year and a half on the back of a magnificent triple hundred in Ranji Trophy against Assam.

He scored a magnificent 379 which is also the second-highest score in the history of Ranji Trophy. It will be interesting to see whether India gives a chance to Shaw who last played an international game in June 2021.