ind vs nz 1st t20 playing XI: 3 challenges that turned Suryakumar’s mind, 2 names in the playing XI will surprise
New Delhi. After losing the ODI series for the first time at home against New Zealand, Team India has a lot to improve under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir. The five-match T20I series starting in Nagpur from Wednesday will be a big opportunity for the Indian team to prove itself. Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the team will be eyeing to send a strong message before the T20 World Cup and this series can prove to be an ideal dress rehearsal for the players.
Before the series, India is facing some injury related concerns and due to this BCCI has also announced some replacement players. Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi may get a chance in some matches, but overall the focus will be on finding the right team combination before the big tournament.
Sanju Samson on top
After sending Sanju Samson down the batting order and giving a chance to Jitesh Sharma in some matches, perhaps the team management has understood that it is better in the interest of the team that this Kerala batsman is given the responsibility of opening along with Abhishek Sharma. At present both these places appear to be confirmed. In his last innings against South Africa, Sanju had scored 37 runs while opening.
Difficult decision on number three
Here the matter becomes a bit complicated because both Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan have been out of India’s T20I team for some time, but both are part of this squad. Shreyas is playing ODIs after returning from injury, while Ishan has performed well in domestic cricket. However, since Ishan Kishan has been included in the T20 World Cup squad, he may get a chance at number three. So far, Ishaan has scored 796 runs in 32 T20I matches at an average of 25.
Hardik Pandya returns, Shivam Dubey also in the team
Fast bowling all-rounders are a big strength for any team and India has two such players in this format for this series. Hardik Pandya is returning after injury, while Shivam Dubey has been a constant part of the team. It is considered certain that both the players will play, which will provide additional balance to the team, however, it will be interesting to see whether Hardik is able to bowl at full strength or not.
Varun Chakraborty vs Kuldeep Yadav
Both the wrist spinners are excellent bowlers, but looking at the current form, Varun Chakraborty may get preference in the first match. In the ODI series, Kuldeep Yadav was well targeted by the Kiwi batsmen, who were seen moving forward and hitting him all around in an aggressive manner. This may be in the mind of captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, hence Varun may get an edge in the opening match.
India’s probable playing XI for the first T20I
Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakraborty.
