India v New Zealand, 1st T20I 2017– New Zealand Predicted XI

The ODI leg of New Zealand’s tour of India was very exciting. It was a very close series in which India edged them 2-1. The visitors won the first game of the series comfortably as they chased down India’s first innings total with 6 wickets in hand. In the second ODI, the hosts returned the favours as they won the game with 6 wickets in hand.

It all boiled to the final encounter of the series. It was a high-pressure game as the home team did not want their enviable home record to be spoiled. There was a lot of hype regarding the series decider and the match did not disappoint. It was a thriller in which the Indians held their nerves and won the game by just 6 runs to win the series.

The Kiwis would be hoping to get revenge for the ODI series loss in the T20 leg of the tour. India has never beaten New Zealand in a T20 International. The Men in Blue would be looking to improve their record against Kiwis in the T20I series. On the other hand, the Black Caps would be looking to maintain their highly impressive unbeaten record over the hosts. Let us take a look at the New Zealand’s predicted XI for the T20 International.

Openers (Martin Guptill and Colin Munro)

Martin Guptill is one of the most feared batsmen in the white ball cricket but the Indian bowlers were successful in keeping him quiet throughout the series. He got a decent start in the first ODI, apart from that he failed in the remaining games. He would want to make his mark in the T20 series and will be a man on a mission.

Colin Munro is known for his attacking batting and he showed his class in the final ODI. After failing in the second match he was brilliant in the series decider. He scored 75 runs in just 62 balls to give Kiwis a headstart in the chase. His innings contained 8 fours and also 3 sixes which makes him a player to look out for in T20 Internationals.

Middle Order (Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Bruce)

Kane Williamson looked off-colour in the first two ODIs as he failed in both the innings. But the New Zealand captain came to the party in the series decider as he played the role of anchor. Considering the high standards he sets for himself the right-handed batsman would be gutted for not being able to get a big score. He would be looking to make amends in the T20Is.

Ross Taylor had a very successful ODI series; he finished as New Zealand’s second highest run-scorer in the series. He was unlucky to miss out on a century in the first match. In the other two games, he got off to a start but failed to make it big. The T20I series gives him yet another opportunity to win his team high value games.

Tom Bruce is renowned for his big hitting. He has been impressive for New Zealand in his short T20 career and this would be his chance to prove that he can be successful at the highest level. The right-hand batsman can prove to be New Zealand’s trump card.

Wicketkeeper (Tom Latham)

Tom Latham was brilliant in the ODI series as he was consistent throughout. The Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman scored a century in the first match to take Blackcaps home. In the third ODI, he batted brilliantly and looked set to take visitors across the finishing line once again before he was unfortunately run out. Latham would try to finish some unfinished business in the shortest format.

All-Rounders (Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner)

De Grandhomme is one of the best hitters in the New Zealand line-up. His ability to chip in with few overs makes him a valuable asset in a T20 team. Grandhomme batted well in the second ODI but failed to come up with big hits when New Zealand needed him in the 3rd ODI. Kiwis would be hoping for him to contribute with both bat and ball in the upcoming series.

Mitchell Santner did his job well, he kept the Indian batsmen in check as he bowled at a miserly economy rate. The only thing missing was few wickets, the left-arm spinner would be hoping to chip in with a few wickets in the middle to put brakes on Indian batting.

Pace bowlers (Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult)

Tim Southee had a horrid time in the first two matches of the series but he pulled it back slightly in the last. The swing bowler took two important wickets of Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan. He gave away 66 runs in 10 runs at an economy of 6.40 which is good considering the conditions. Kiwis would be hoping for him to provide early breakthroughs in T20.

Adam Milne was not effective in the first ODI but he was brilliant in the second where he conceded at an economy of less than 3. In the decider, Milne bowled decently as gave away 64 runs in 10 overs and chipped in with 2 wickets. Indian batsmen would have to wary of his pace in the shortest format of the game.

Trent Boult was the destroyer in chief in the first innings as he took 2 early wickets to break the back of Indian batting. He took 4 wickets in the first game as he was adjudged man of the match. He looked off-colour in the remaining matches of the series. Blackcaps would be hoping for Boult to provide early wickets in the T20 like he did in the first ODI.