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

After a very closely contested ODI series between India and New Zealand, the action now moves to the shortest format of the game. Despite the defeat, the visitors have certainly given a bold statement about the fact that they are not mere pushovers on the tour. They stunned the men in blue in the first ODI and then gave the hosts a run for their money in the final ODI at Kanpur.

Now, with the shortest format of the game at their disposal, expect the visitors to come harder at team India. They have a prolific record against the Indian team in the T20 format of the game. The men in blue are yet to register a win against the Kiwis in this format. The last time these two sides met in a T20I game, the Indian side was shot out for a score under 80.

Needless to concede, the Indian camp is very much wary of the tough challenge that beckons as the action moves to Feroze Shah Kotla, Delhi. The selectors have named an experienced squad. Two new faces have been added in the team – Shreyas Iyer and Mohammad Siraj. It will be interesting to see what combinations the team eventually fields on the match day.

Here we look at the India Predicted XI for the match:

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma)

The opening duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma look set for the hosts. Rohit will arrive into the game riding sky high on confidence. He hit a thunderous 147 in the final ODI at Kanpur and would want to stamp his authority in the shortest format as well. He has been a prolific player in the format but has not quite clicked well in the recent times.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan has been very impressive in the shorter formats for the team. However, in the most recent series against Australia, he had failed to get runs under his belt. Hence, he would be keen to get amongst the runs soon. Dhawan will have the added advantage of playing at his home turf in the match.

Middle-Order (Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik)

The Indian middle-order is very much likely to see changes coming in to the T20 formats. Virat Kohli looks set at the number three position. He has been in terrific form. Kohli was rewarded the Player of the Series in the ODIs recently owing to his two stellar tons in 3 matches. He is in brilliant form and would be a key player in the middle order.

Young Karnataka batsman Manish Pandey is likely to be back in the playing eleven. He did not find a place in the ODIs and could well be brought in the lineup for the match. Pandey has been consistently scoring quick starts in Indian colors. Unless the team decides to try KL Rahul in the middle-order, Pandey looks set to be back.

Comeback veteran Dinesh Karthik is very much likely to get an extended run in the national colors. Owing to his good show in the ODIs, he might well be rewarded with the T20 cap as well. Karthik plays in the middle-order for his domestic side and will be a good fit in the team.

All-Rounders (Hardik Pandya)

Talking about the all-rounders, the one set all-rounder in the team is Hardik Pandya. Pandya has been a prolific performer with both bat and the ball in the recent times for team India. He had a very ordinary time with both bat and the ball in the final ODI though. He would want to cover up for it with an improved showing in the T20s.

Wicket-keeper (MS Dhoni)

MS Dhoni will continue to don the wicket-keeping gloves for the hosts in the match. There have been thoughts floating about Dhoni being rested to accommodate KL Rahul in the lineup as the wicketkeeper. All these claims seem to be a far cry for now. Dhoni has had decent outings with the bat in the recent times and his wicketkeeping has been blemish free.

Spinners (Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav)

The Indian think tank roped in the services of Axar Patel for the final two ODIs at the expense of Kuldeep Yadav. Now, with the shortest format of the game at the disposal, team India is likely to get back to their tactics of using two wrist spinners. Yuzvendra Chahal has been very impressive and will arrive into the game riding on a match winning spell of 2/47 at Kanpur.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav would want to reinstate his position in the time if he gets a go in the match. He was not a part of the final two ODIs, and hence, he would want to impress yet again. Playing on the track of Kotla, the spinners will come in handy.

Pace bowlers (Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah)

In the pace bowling department, the team is very much likely to field in Ashish Nehra. Nehra, if picked up in the match, will be playing his farewell international game in front of his home crowd. However, selector MSK Prasad had clarified that there is no guarantee of Nehra being picked in the match.

But, considering the fact that Bhuvneshwar Kumar deserves some rest after a hectic season, Nehra could get a chance. Also, Bhuvi had a very bad time at the office in the final ODI at Kanpur where he was taken away for 92 runs in 10 overs. This could also work in Nehra’s favor. The other seamer would be Jasprit Bumrah, who has been a proven asset in the shortest format of the game.