India v New Zealand, 2nd T20I 2017– New Zealand Predicted XI

The ODI series between India and New Zealand was very exciting. In the end, the hosts edged the 3-match series 2-1. There was a lot of excitement coming to the T20 leg of the tour. The visitors who were world no.1 at the start of the series were expected to challenge the hosts.

The first T20I of the series was the farewell game for Ashish Nehra. It was a perfect setting for him to bid goodbye on the ground where it all started. Indian team was hoping to give a fitting farewell to one of their most loyal servants. On the other hand, Kiwis needed to win the game to preserve their No.1 ranking.

But after much expectations, the game was not close. Kane Williamson won the toss and invited India to bat. This was the only time New Zealand did well in the game, from this moment they never got a chance to come back in as Team India registered an easy win.

The Kiwis need to win the second game of the series to keep their chances alive. They would need to get their team combinations right to beat this strong looking Indian team. Let us take a look at New Zealand’s predicted XI for the second T20I.

Openers (Martin Guptill and Colin Munro)

Martin Guptill is considered as one of the most dangerous opening batsmen in world cricket. But he has been disappointing throughout the tour of India. His bad run did not end even in the first T20 International, as he got out for a low score once again. The Kiwi opener needs to raise his game if New Zealand has to make a comeback in the series.

Colin Munro has been good in flashes in this tour. He was brilliant in the last ODI but failed to make a mark in the first T20 International. He was bowled over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The Blackcaps would hope for more consistency from their opener.

Middle Order (Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls)

Williamson came to India with a big reputation. The New Zealand captain has failed to live up to this reputation on the current tour. He has struggled in all the games of the tour and it was no different in the first T20. The Kiwi captain managed to score only 28 runs and consumed 24 balls for doing that which is very slow for T20.

Ross Taylor was brilliant in the ODI series so it was a surprise to see him not getting picked in the first T20. His replacement Tom Bruce struggled for timing in the T20 and Kiwis might opt to go for experience in the second T20. Taylor can provide much-needed stability to the Kiwi middle order.

Henry Nicholls performed decently in the ODI leg of the tour. He came up with decent cameos in the ODI, but he failed to contribute much in the T20. He came to bat with the Black Caps in all sorts of problem, and he couldn’t do much to help the cause of the team. The left-handed batsman would be hoping to contribute more in the second T20I.

Wicketkeeper (Tom Latham)

Tom Latham was exceptional in the ODI leg of the tour, as he was the most consistent New Zealand batsman in the series. In the first T20, he was the top-scorer for New Zealand as he scored 39 as wickets kept falling around him. The team management might think about promoting him in the batting order considering his performances.

All-Rounders (Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner)

There were lots of expectations from de Grandhomme as he is known for his big hitting. But he has let down his team in the crucial junctures on the tour. He failed to come up with big hits in the last ODI when it was needed. In the first T20I, he failed to contribute with either bat or ball. He gave away 34 runs in just 3 overs and was dismissed on the very first ball.

Mitchell Santner was arguably New Zealand’s best player in the first T20. He kept Indian batting in check giving away only 30 runs in his quota of 4 overs. He came up with some big hits with the bat to reduce the margin of the defeat for New Zealand. The team-management would be happy with the depth he provides to the batting line up.

Spinner (Ish Sodhi)

The leg-spinner was brilliant in the first T20 as he was the only bowler who was successful in putting pressure on the home team. He gave away only 25 runs in 4 overs at a miserly economy rate of 6.25. He chipped in with 2 wickets, and Kiwis would be expecting more of same in the rest of the tour.

Pace bowlers (Tim Southee, Trent Boult)

Tim Southee has been struggling to find his rhythm throughout the tour. The swing bowler failed to put pressure in the T20 too as he leaked runs at a high rate. He gave away 44 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 11, this is not the kind of performance you expect from an experienced bowler.

Trent Boult was brilliant in the first ODI as he broke the back of Indian batting with his opening spell. Since then, Boult has struggled as he has failed to put pressure on the Indian batsmen. In the first T20, he gave away runs at a rate higher than 2 per ball. The leader of the Kiwi bowling line-up needs to pick up early wickets if they want to put pressure on Indian batsmen again.