Shreyas Iyer dropped from India’s main selection after fresh injury

India players celebrate (AP) India captain Shreyas Iyer has hinted that the team management is likely to make changes to the playing eleven 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 clinched 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 stopped in the middle of his run-up while jumping second. He immediately grabbed his hamstring and walked off the pitch, ending what had been an impressive spell. Before leaving the field, the right-arm pacemaker struck twice in just eight deliveries.

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After India’s 90-run victory, Iyer admitted that the injury could force the team to make changes. “Unfortunately one of our players has got injured 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 joined the team 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 center of excellence, as Rana did. Despite injury concerns, 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 replacement if needed. With the series already wrapped up, the final T20I also presents an opportunity for India to assess the players yet to emerge. Wicket-opener Prabhsimran Singh and spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey are among those waiting for an opportunity to make their T20I debut. One of the possible changes could include resting Ishan Kishan, who cemented his place in the group after a match-winning 81 in the second T20I, and bringing in Prabhsimran. However, India generally prefers to give players opportunities in their natural roles. Another option could be sedate opener Abhishek Sharma, who has not been in 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 of Zimbabwe.